Graeme Dey Appointed Minister After Jamie Hepburn’s Resignation

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has appointed Graeme Dey as the new Minister for Parliamentary Business and for Veterans following the resignation of Jamie Hepburn. Hepburn stepped down on October 13, 2023, amid allegations of assault made by former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.

Ross accused Hepburn of physically grabbing his shoulder and using abusive language during a heated exchange. While Hepburn denied any physical altercation, he acknowledged that he had used “choice words” in the confrontation that reportedly took place in the Holyrood chamber.

Details Surrounding the Incident

The altercation stemmed from a dispute over seagulls as both politicians exited the chamber. Following the incident, Ross utilized a point of order during a parliamentary session to accuse Hepburn of “threatening and intimidating behaviour.” This accusation prompted immediate reactions within the party, leading to Hepburn’s resignation.

In his resignation letter to John Swinney, who serves as Deputy First Minister, Hepburn expressed regret about the situation but stood firm on his denial of the assault claims. He stated, “I will freely fess up to things I’ve done but I won’t apologise for things that are not true.” Despite the controversy, he admitted to placing his hand on Ross’s shoulder and using inappropriate language.

Swinnney expressed his personal regret at accepting Hepburn’s resignation, highlighting the experience and commitment Hepburn brought to his role as Minister for Parliamentary Business.

New Appointments and Future Prospects

With Dey’s return to the ministerial role, he brings experience from previous positions held between 2018 and 2021, where he served in various capacities, including Minister for Transport. The appointment of Ben Macpherson as Minister for Higher and Further Education fills the position left vacant by Dey. Macpherson has previously held multiple ministerial roles and is expected to offer dynamic leadership in his new capacity.

In his announcement of the appointments, Swinney praised Dey for his ability to foster constructive dialogue within the parliamentary chamber. He noted, “Graeme Dey brings wide experience of handling parliamentary business to this role and is a minister widely respected.” Macpherson’s appointment is seen as crucial for advancing the government’s educational agenda, which aims to significantly impact individuals’ lives across Scotland and support the government’s economic strategy.

Following Hepburn’s resignation, he was also urged to decline a golden goodbye of £8,769.25, reflecting the fallout from the incident.

The context of this incident and subsequent resignations highlights the ongoing tensions within the SNP and the challenges faced by its leadership as it navigates both internal and external pressures.