Overview

• Ross wrote to First Minister John Swinney on Friday requesting a referral to the independent advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code after a corridor confrontation on Wednesday.
• He alleges parliamentary business minister Jamie Hepburn grabbed his shoulder and swore at him following a dispute over a planned seagull summit.
• Hepburn acknowledges placing a hand on Ross’s shoulder and using “choice words” but rejects claims of assault or force.
• Police Scotland confirmed officers spoke with Ross and that no formal complaint has been made, as parliamentary reporting processes were activated with no CCTV of the area.
• A senior Scottish Government source indicated Hepburn would not be dismissed, while at least one non-Conservative MSP has corroborated elements of Ross’s account.