FRESH calls have been made for a probe into Donald Trump’s property dealings in Scotland after it was reported he is considering a massive expansion of his golf resort in Ayrshire.
Patrick Harvie said Scotland should distance itself from “the toxic Trump brand” as he reiterated a demand for an unexplained wealth order to be put on the US President, which would spark an inquiry into his business affairs.
The Scottish Greens co-leader made the intervention as a Sunday newspaper revealed Trump’s firm has commissioned a detailed masterplan to develop hundreds of homes, retail and leisure facilities on farmland at the golf resort it owns at Turnberry.
“The Trump Organisation has repeatedly proved itself to be an irresponsible and environmentally damaging developer, and a bad neighbour once they get established. South Ayrshire Council would be well advised not to let them influence their local development plan, and to be up front and open with the local community about the issues being decided,” said Harvie.
“Beyond this particular development, we should be very wary of allowing Scotland’s name to be further associated with the toxic Trump brand. The man himself is a delusional bully, an advocate of climate denial and other dangerous conspiracy theories, and he has actively promoted the views of fascists. His personal finances have never been transparent, and rather than letting him help himself to another piece of Scotland’s tourism industry we should be going to court to seek an unexplained wealth order, to start casting some light on his business dealings.”
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An article in yesterday’s Scotland on Sunday said the Trump Organisation has commissioned proposals to develop as many as 225 properties, as well as leisure facilities and shops, on an expanse of farmland adjacent to Turnberry’s Ailsa course.
The Trump Organisation has yet to formally submit a planning application, but Scotland on Sunday obtained documents prepared on its behalf by an architectural practice.
Earlier this year Trump’s son Eric branded Harvie “a spineless politician” after he suggested the US president could be involved in money laundering.
Trump Jnr said Harvie’s calls for a probe into how his father was able to afford the purchase of land for Scots golf resorts were “wildly inappropriate allegations to advance his own political agenda and gain attention”. He demanded Harvie “retract his libellous statements, failing which we’ll hold him fully accountable” and called him a “disgrace to Parliament”.
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Speaking at First Minister’s Questions earlier, Harvie asked Nicola Sturgeon to apply for an unexplained wealth order because of “big questions over Trump’s business dealings in Scotland”. Sturgeon said Harvie had raised “serious issues” and she’d get back to him.
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