A Scottish Government minister quit today following claims he assaulted and verbally abused a Tory MSP.
Jamie Hepburn has resigned as the parliamentary business minister at Holyrood after a clash with Douglas Ross, the former Scottish Tory leader.
He had been accused by Mr Ross of assaulting him by firmly grabbing his shoulder before launching into a foul-mouthed tirade.
Mr Hepburn rejected claims he had been physical with Mr Ross, but admitted to using 'choice words'.
In a resignation letter to First Minster John Swinney, Mr Hepburn said he did not want to become a 'distraction' to the SNP-led Scottish Government.
