SNP MINISTER QUITS OVER 'GULLGATE' RAMMY AT HOLYROOD

MSP resigns after former Conservative leader claims he was assaulted

- By David Walker Scottish Political Reporter

'GULLGATE' Minister Jamie Hepburn resigned from the Scottish Government yesterday after being accused of physically assaulting Douglas Ross.

It is a huge blow for John Swinney, especially after his special advisers attempted to claim that the confrontation between the two men wasn't a big deal.

The former Scottish Tory leader accused the SNP's Parliamentary Business Minister of injuring him by

grabbing his shoulder and shouting and swearing in his face.

He said Mr Hepburn's behaviour at Holyrood on Wednesday had breached the ministerial code and yesterday he wrote to the First Minister to urge him to investigate the matter.

But this probe now won't take place as Mr Hepburn resigned before his conduct was looked into.

Mr Swinney will now need to find a replacement for the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth MSP, who returns to the back benches under a dark cloud.

The row happened after Mr Ross interrupted Mr Hepburn's business motion to demand the cancellation of a summit to discuss seagulls, which is due to take place behind closed doors.

The two men clashed angrily in the Holyrood chamber, before the dispute continued as MSPs filed out into the corridor.

Mr Hepburn, 46, admitted grabbing Mr Ross on the shoulder

and using "industrious" language when confronted by journalists on Thursday.