It's all Fairlie farcical as minister gives “bird brain' qulls answer

HOLYROOD descended into farce as MSPs debated the menace of seagulls in Scotland's coastal areas and towns.

- By David Walker

A row erupted after the Scottish Government held a gull summit in private, refusing to invite members of the public or MSPs.

It was this decision that sparked the confrontation between Jamie Hepburn and former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, and led to the SNP minister being forced to resign due to allegedly assaulting his rival. The resulting debate on Wednesday evening saw Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie laughed at when he discussed suggestions by quango NatureScot to prevent gull attacks.