Scottish Lib Dems want Trump probe

Updated 08.01 Mon Dec 17 2007
Keywords: liberal democrats, scottish parliament, scotland, politics, money, donald trump, business, britain, sport, golf

The Liberal Democrats want an independent inquiry into the handling of Donald Trump's £1 billion golf project in Aberdeenshire.

The party is demanding a month-long probe led by a judge or a sheriff.

"The question here is whether there has been improper behaviour" - Nicol Stephen

The move comes after Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen told the Scottish parliament the government "smells of sleaze" over the issue.

Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee voted against Trump's plans for the resort at the Menie Estate on November 29, although the full council backed it.

On December 4, SNP finance minister John Swinney "called in" the application, which meant the government would have the final say on the matter.

The day before, First Minister Alex Salmond met members of the Trump Organisation at a luxury hotel near Aberdeen, although the SNP leader has said this was done as part of his role as a local MSP.

It has also emerged that on the day ministers called in the application, Trump representatives were with the government's chief planner, Jim Mackinnon, during a phone call to the council chief executive. However, Trump's aides had been asked to leave the room before the discussion took place.

Lib Dem MSP Robert Brown will lodge a draft parliamentary motion today calling for a probe.

If it is backed by other opposition parties, the Scottish Parliament's Corporate Body would set up an independent commission with the power to quiz ministers and see all documentation relating to the matter.

The Liberal Democrats say such an inquiry would restore public confidence in the openness and transparency of the government's handling of the case and others like it.

Mr Stephen said: "The question here is whether there has been improper behaviour, it's about the integrity of the planning system.

"If the government has nothing to fear it should have nothing to hide on this issue."

The move has infuriated the Nationalists, who have suggested the opposition may be out to sabotage the project.

A party spokesman said: "This is just silly games. The Lib Dems keep changing what they are calling for from one day to the next, and have obviously completely lost sight of the seriousness of the development opportunity in question."

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