SNP minister Jamie Hepburn has responded to accusations of "physical and verbal" assault by Douglas Ross.
On Thursday, the Scottish Tory MSP raised a point of order at the end of First Minister's Questions (FMQs), alleging that the minister for parliamentary business "grabbed" him on the shoulder on the way out of the Holyrood chamber.
Ross claimed that Hepburn "held on" while the pair left the Chamber while "continually swearing" and getting "more aggressive".
Ross told journalists that he had reported the incident to the Scottish Parliament's chief executive and he would be speaking to police on Thursday afternoon.
He has also said that Hepburn should be sacked for breaching the ministerial code.
The Scottish Parliament said that there was no CCTV available of the alleged incident.
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone said the allegations were "very serious" and should be dealt with through the "appropriate processes".
First Minister John Swinney told reporters after FMQs that he was unaware of the incident, but would "consider these matters".
And now, following a motion of condolence for former presiding officer George Reid, Hepburn spoke to journalists and responded to the allegations.
He said: "Well, I will 'fess up to things I've done, but I won’t apologise for things I’ve not done.
"So yesterday, yeah, I put my hand on his shoulder and probably used a few choice words I shouldn't have. That's it."
Asked to respond to claims by Ross that Hepburn "hurt him with his grip", Hepburn told journalists in Holyrood: "I put my hand on his shoulder and had a few choice words with him, that’s it."
STV's Colin Mackay put it to Hepburn that he had told Ross "you and you're f****** statements, so many f****** statements, too many f****** statements", in regards to the Tory MSP's calls for a summit on seagulls to be suspended and the issue debated in Holyrood again.
"I used some words that I probably shouldn't have," Hepburn said.
Pressed on whether that was "threatening behaviour", Hepburn admitted he used "industrious language".
"I accept I shouldn't have done that," he added.
Asked if John Swinney still had confidence in him and if he would resign, Hepburn said: "I'm holding my hands up to what I've done.
"I used language I shouldn’t have yesterday, I’m sure we’ve all done that.
"I put my hand on his shoulder, and used a few words I shouldn’t have."
Asked why he lost his temper, Hepburn said: “I think everyone knows the context.
"I was speaking to a business motion after we had just agreed landmark legislation to improve the experience for victims and witnesses yesterday.
“I think he spoke to the business motion in a way that he shouldn’t have, but I recognise I should have kept my cool and not used the words I shouldn’t have.”
Asked if he would apologise to Ross, Hepburn said he would “freely speak to him” if Ross wished, adding he found it “hard to believe” the Moray MSP said he was reluctant to enter the Holyrood chamber while the minister was there.
Asked about the issue being reported to the police, Hepburn said: “Let’s wait and see what happens.”
Speaking to journalists after FMQs, Ross said: "The behaviour that I experienced from the minister is absolutely against what is in the ministerial code I can see no way he can continue in his role in Government.
"Particularly in a role which means he has to work with MSPs.”
The First Minister, who was in Windsor on Wednesday for the state banquet held for US President Donald Trump, was asked about the allegation by journalists.
He said: “It’s the first I’ve heard about it.
"Obviously, I was away yesterday so I don’t have any knowledge about it.”
However, he said he would “consider these issues”.
In response to Ross's point of order, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone said it was a "very serious allegation".
A spokesperson said the Scottish Parliament takes a “zero tolerance approach to bullying and harassment” and said that allegations of criminality should be reported to the police.
“As the Presiding Officer said in the Chamber, this is a very serious allegation and it is important that it is dealt with through the appropriate processes,” they added.
“Where anyone considers that the conduct of a Member hasn’t met the terms of the Code of Conduct, a complaint can be made to the commissioner for ethical standards in public life in Scotland.
“Complaints about the conduct of a Member arising from their ministerial duties are dealt with under the Scottish Ministerial Code and are a matter for the First Minister.
“The Parliament has provided the Member with advice on these avenues.”
