SCOTTISH First Minister John Swinney has announced a mini-reshuffle after Jamie Hepburn’s “seagull-gate” resignation.

Mr Hepburn resigned as parliamentary business and veterans’ minister on Friday after an altercation with former Tory group leader Douglas Ross.

Mr Ross had demanded a ministerial statement on Mr Swinney’s seagull summit, a request Mr Hepburn rejected in the chamber, and followed up outside, where Mr Ross claims the minister grabbed his shoulder and launched into a foul-mouthed tirade on his demands for statements.

While Mr Hepburn denied being physical in the encounter, he accepted he used “choice words,” resigning a day later.

He will be replaced by Graeme Dey, whose vacated post as minister for higher and further education will be taken up by Ben Macpherson.

A “delighted” Mr Swinney said: “Graeme Dey brings wide experience of handling parliamentary business to this role and is a minister widely respected across the parliamentary chamber.

“Ben Macpherson has wider experience across a range of policy areas and will bring a creative and dynamic leadership to higher and further education that is so fundamental to transforming the lives of individuals across the country.”