No complaint made to police after minister accused of assaulting Douglas Ross

No charges or complaints have been filed against the government minister accused of assaulting and verbally abusing Douglas Ross, Police Scotland has said.

The former Scottish Conservative leader said he was grabbed by the minister for parliamentary business, Jamie Hepburn, when MSPs were leaving the chamber on Wednesday.

Ross accused Hepburn of “grabbing” and “hurting” him and swearing in his face.

He told reporters on Thursday afternoon that he would be reporting the incident to police.

Police Scotland subsequently confirmed that the officers had spoken with Ross and no complaint was made.

A spokesperson said: “Officers have spoken with Mr Ross. No complaint has been made and suitable advice was given.”

Ross described the alleged incident to reporters outside the chamber on Thursday afternoon. He said the issue started on Wednesday when he raised the issue of seagulls once again in the parliamentary chamber.

He said the alleged altercation was about “asking [the minister] for too many statements”.

Hepburn admitted on Thursday that he used language he shouldn’t have, but told reporters he did not grab Ross. Hepburn said he placed his hand on Ross’s shoulder.

“I will freely fess up to things I’ve done, but I won’t apologise for things I’ve not done,” Hepburn told reporters.

“Yesterday, I put my hand on [Ross’] shoulder and probably used a few choice words I shouldn’t have. That’s it.”

Hepburn added: “I conducted myself in a fashion yesterday I have not conducted myself in before.”

Ross told the Scottish Parliament that he had emailed the Presiding Officer about the alleged incident on Thursday morning.

Addressing the allegations in the chamber, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone said: “This is a very serious allegation and it is important that it is dealt with through the appropriate processes.”

Ross has called on the First Minister to take a “zero-tolerance approach to threatening and intimidating behaviour by his ministers” and sack Hepburn following the incident.

The Presiding Officer said she expected all members to “take their responsibilities under the code of conduct seriously”.

Speaking after FMQs, First Minister John Swinney, who was in Windsor on Wednesday for the state banquet held for US President Donald Trump, was asked about the allegation by journalists.

He said: “It’s the first I’ve heard about it. Obviously, I was away yesterday, so I don’t have any knowledge about it.”

However, he said he would “consider these issues”.

The Scottish Government, Jamie Hepburn’s office and the Scottish Parliament have been asked for comment.