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| Douglas Ross accuses SNP minister of assaulting him at parliament | Douglas Ross accuses SNP minister of assaulting him at parliament |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Douglas Ross raises assault complaint over conduct of SNP minister | Douglas Ross raises assault complaint over conduct of SNP minister |
| Conservative MSP Douglas Ross has accused a Scottish government minister of physically and verbally assaulting him in parliament. | Conservative MSP Douglas Ross has accused a Scottish government minister of physically and verbally assaulting him in parliament. |
| The former Tory leader claimed Parliamentary Business Minister Jamie Hepburn attacked him as he left the chamber on Wednesday, after the pair had clashed over the scheduling of a summit to discuss "out of control" seagulls. | |
| Hepburn said he put his hand on Ross's shoulder and that he "used a few choice words I shouldn't have", adding: "That's it." | Hepburn said he put his hand on Ross's shoulder and that he "used a few choice words I shouldn't have", adding: "That's it." |
| Police said they had advised Ross over the confrontation, though he had not made an official complaint. | |
| Hepburn told reporters: "I will freely fess up to things I've done, but I will not apologise for things I've not done. | |
| "I am clearly sorry I conducted myself in the fashion that I did and I recognise that I let myself down but that is the extent of it. | "I am clearly sorry I conducted myself in the fashion that I did and I recognise that I let myself down but that is the extent of it. |
| "Some of what has been suggested does not tally with the reality." | "Some of what has been suggested does not tally with the reality." |
| Hepburn declined to answer questions on whether he had breached the ministerial code or whether the first minister continued to have confidence in him. | Hepburn declined to answer questions on whether he had breached the ministerial code or whether the first minister continued to have confidence in him. |
| Jamie Hepburn said the request for a statement came "beyond the 11th hour" | Jamie Hepburn said the request for a statement came "beyond the 11th hour" |
| Ross made the allegation at the end of First Ministers' Questions at Holyrood on Thursday. | Ross made the allegation at the end of First Ministers' Questions at Holyrood on Thursday. |
| After the session he told reporters that Hepburn had grabbed him and swore at him "in an aggressive manner". | After the session he told reporters that Hepburn had grabbed him and swore at him "in an aggressive manner". |
| The Highlands and Islands MSP claimed the incident happened in front of security and other parliamentary staff. | The Highlands and Islands MSP claimed the incident happened in front of security and other parliamentary staff. |
| He said that the minister should lose his job, adding: "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." | He said that the minister should lose his job, adding: "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 Tory MSP told journalists that he had reported the incident to the parliament's chief executive, and that he been advised to speak to police. | The Tory MSP told journalists that he had reported the incident to the parliament's chief executive, and that he been advised to speak to police. |
| A senior government source said that the minister would not be dismissed, but refused to say that Douglas Ross was lying in his account of events. | A senior government source said that the minister would not be dismissed, but refused to say that Douglas Ross was lying in his account of events. |
| Ross had been criticised on Wednesday after he delayed a vote on landmark justice reforms to raise concerns about the government's seagull summit. | Ross had been criticised on Wednesday after he delayed a vote on landmark justice reforms to raise concerns about the government's seagull summit. |
| The Highlands and Islands MSP, speaking during time set aside to agree the parliamentary business programme, described the summit as a "sham" and a "farce". | The Highlands and Islands MSP, speaking during time set aside to agree the parliamentary business programme, described the summit as a "sham" and a "farce". |
| He clashed with Hepburn in the chamber as he urged ministers to postpone the summit due to concerns it was not open to the public, media or other politicians. | He clashed with Hepburn in the chamber as he urged ministers to postpone the summit due to concerns it was not open to the public, media or other politicians. |
| Ministers committed to holding the summit following warnings that gull attacks were posing a risk to health and safety and a nuisance to local businesses. | Ministers committed to holding the summit following warnings that gull attacks were posing a risk to health and safety and a nuisance to local businesses. |
| The Herald reported that Ross's intervention sparked anger among justice campaigners, who were in the gallery to witness the passage of the justice bill, and the Scottish Greens. | The Herald reported that Ross's intervention sparked anger among justice campaigners, who were in the gallery to witness the passage of the justice bill, and the Scottish Greens. |
| He sought reassurances that John Swinney took a "zero tolerance approach to threatening and intimidating behaviour by his ministers". | He sought reassurances that John Swinney took a "zero tolerance approach to threatening and intimidating behaviour by his ministers". |
| 'Very serious allegation' | 'Very serious allegation' |
| After First Ministers' Questions, John Swinney told reporters that he only learned of the accusation when Ross raised it in the chamber. | After First Ministers' Questions, John Swinney told reporters that he only learned of the accusation when Ross raised it in the chamber. |
| He said he had no "intimate knowledge" of the issue and would consider the claims. | He said he had no "intimate knowledge" of the issue and would consider the claims. |
| Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone described it as a "very serious allegation" and that it was important that it was "dealt with through the appropriate processes". | Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone described it as a "very serious allegation" and that it was important that it was "dealt with through the appropriate processes". |
| She added: "I expect all members to take their responsibilities under the code of conduct seriously." | She added: "I expect all members to take their responsibilities under the code of conduct seriously." |
| Johnstone said such allegations would typically be investigated initially by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland, an independent watchdog appointed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. | Johnstone said such allegations would typically be investigated initially by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland, an independent watchdog appointed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. |
| A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said that it did not have CCTV footage of the incident. | A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said that it did not have CCTV footage of the incident. |
| They said: "The parliament takes a zero tolerance approach to bullying and harassment and any allegations of criminality should be reported directly to the police." | They said: "The parliament takes a zero tolerance approach to bullying and harassment and any allegations of criminality should be reported directly to the police." |
| The spokesperson added: "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 spokesperson added: "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." | "The parliament has provided the member with advice on these avenues." |