SQUAWK OF SHAME

Ex-Tory leader Ross accuses SNP's Hepburn of assault and aggression in row over birds

- BY CHRIS MCCALL

TOP Tory Douglas Ross has called in cops over claims he was attacked by an SNP minister in a Scottish Parliament row about seagulls.

The clash took place after former Tory leader Ross raised a point of order at Holyrood over why he wasn't being invited to a Scottish Government summit on problem seagulls - an issue Ross has raised at Parliament before.

Jamie Hepburn, the SNP’s parliamentary business manager, later admitted he had “put my hand on his shoulder” and “probably used a few choice words I shouldn't have” during the confrontation on Wednesday.

Ross raised his claims at the Holyrood chamber yesterday during First Minister's Questions, telling MSPs: “As I left the chamber yesterday I was physically assaulted and verbally abused by your minister for parliamentary business, Jamie Hepburn.”

Speaking over gasps from other MSPs, Ross continued: “I'm wondering if the First Minister will make a statement, and take an opportunity, to say that he has a zero tolerance to threatening or intimidating behaviour by his ministers.”