John Swinney’s new government team has been approved by Holyrood – with a bid to prevent Jamie Hepburn from returning as a minister failing.

Conservatives had submitted an amendment at Holyrood to prevent Mr Hepburn’s appointment as minister for parliamentary business and veterans from being approved.

It came after allegations that while in a government role last year he assaulted former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, when the issue of how to deal with the threat from seagulls was discussed at Holyrood.

Tories failed in a bid to block the government return of Jamie Hepburn – who resigned last year after clashing with Douglass Ross. (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Tories failed in a bid to block the government return of Jamie Hepburn – who resigned last year after clashing with Douglass Ross. (Andrew Milligan/PA)

And Scottish Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher said: “The First Minister should know it is wrong to reappoint Jamie Hepburn.

“It sends the completely wrong message about the standards, accountability and behaviour in government.”

The Tory amendment to block Mr Hepburn’s appointment was easily defeated by 11 votes to 71, with 43 abstentions.

Reform will not endorse the appointment of this tired and knackered cabinet. Scotland does not need another recycled government pretending to be revolutionaries.

Reform UK Scottish deputy leader Thomas Kerr

It came as MSPs voted in the new ministerial team – which Mr Swinney insisted would be “resolutely focused on the key challenges facing Scotland”.

He added that Mr Hepburn would return to the Scottish Government, having “served ably” in the past.

Ms Gallacher said it appeared the First Minister’s government “had been on Mounjaro because it has slimmed down in size”, but she added that it “still somehow carries all the same political baggage”.

The Tory blasted: “We now have a government where the cabinet looks exhausted already, and they haven’t even delivered their first Programme for Government.”

Reform UK’s Scottish deputy leader Thomas Kerr also made clear they would not support the ministerial appointments.

He said: “Reform will not endorse the appointment of this tired and knackered cabinet. Scotland does not need another recycled government pretending to be revolutionaries. What Scotland needs is seriousness, competence, and accountability.”

MSPs however voted by 73 to 11 to approve the ministerial appointments, with 42 MSPs abstaining.