Scottish Minister Quits After Clash! Did He Assault a Tory MSP?
Scottish Minister Jamie Hepburn Resigns After Alleged Assault
In a shocking turn of events, Scottish Parliamentary Business Minister Jamie Hepburn has resigned from his position following accusations of assaulting Conservative MSP Douglas Ross. The incident allegedly occurred at the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, and has sent ripples through the political landscape.
Douglas Ross claimed that Hepburn grabbed his shoulder firmly and launched into a verbal tirade as they were leaving the chamber. While Hepburn denies any physical assault, he admitted to using "choice words" during the exchange. This admission ultimately led to his resignation.
In his resignation letter to First Minister John Swinney, Hepburn stated that he had "not acted in accordance with my own personal code of practice." He added that his interaction with Ross fell short of the expected standard. Swinney accepted the resignation with regret, acknowledging Hepburn's usual courtesy and respect.
Ross Welcomes Resignation, But Questions Initial Response
Douglas Ross welcomed Hepburn's resignation, saying it was the "correct decision." He also acknowledged that Hepburn had personally apologised for his behaviour. However, Ross criticised the First Minister's initial response to the incident, stating that it should have been resolved sooner. He claimed that Swinney initially backed Hepburn before the situation was escalated to an investigation by the Independent Advisers on the Ministerial Code.
Hepburn served in the Scottish Government for almost 11 years. He expressed regret that his tenure ended in this manner but hoped his contributions across various roles would be viewed positively. The incident is likely to overshadow his past achievements.
- Jamie Hepburn resigned after allegations of assault.
- Douglas Ross accused Hepburn of grabbing his shoulder and using abusive language.
- Hepburn admitted to using "choice words" but denied physical assault.
- Ross welcomed the resignation but criticised the First Minister's initial handling of the situation.