Donald Trump Arrives In Scotland In Effort To Halt Wind Farms Near Golf Resort

PA  |  Posted: 22/04/2012 17:40 Updated: 23/04/2012 08:54   PA

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US tycoon Donald Trump arrived in Aberdeen ahead of his bid to convince Scottish ministers to axe an "insane" bid to build a wind farm near his luxury golf resort.

Trump touched down at Aberdeen Airport in a private jet at around 3pm today, before making his way through the public airport arrivals and security sections.

He spoke with waiting journalists before leaving in a chauffeur driven car, waving to the public as he departed.

Trump will appear before the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on Wednesday to voice his opposition to the Scottish Government's increasing reliance on wind farms to power the country and meet its renewables targets.

He has warned that wind farms could "completely end" tourism in Scotland and the country is "in effect committing financial suicide".

Trump has said he would not have built his golf course in the north east of Scotland if he had known about plans to install turbines off the coast there.

He also claimed there was "not a shred of evidence" that the devices benefit the environment, claiming their construction used "massive amounts of fossil fuels".

Trump's arrival follows further claims over alleged promises Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and his predecessor, former Labour first minister Jack McConnell, made that there would be no wind farms constructed near his resort.

George Sorial, vice president of the Trump Organisation, told The Sunday Times: "Who actually believes that Mr Salmond did not give us assurances?

"We were told there were military radar installations in Peterhead and there is no way there is ever going to be turbines there because they would cause interference.

"We were told shipping lanes coming in and out of Aberdeen are very busy so we have nothing to worry about. We were told any installations would be 10 miles out.

"It's convenient to blame a former first minister who is a Labour guy. Put all the blame on Jack McConnell. But I think people are smarter than that."

Scottish Conservative energy spokeswoman Mary Scanlon has written to Salmond demanding he discloses all correspondence with Donald Trump regarding assurances on renewable energy.

She said: "I want these details disclosed to stop the claims and counter claims between the First Minister and Mr Trump.

"This issue is a sensitive one for many people in the north east, and they won't be impressed by constantly hearing two differing accounts.

"When people and companies come to Scotland to do business, they need to know that the government's word is its bond, and that promises made are promises kept."

Salmond's spokesman cited comments Trump made last month when he claimed McConnell and his administration gave him their word that they "will not build the windmills".

McConnell told the Scotland on Sunday today that Trump "was treated with the same respect and courtesy" as all potential inward investors.

Salmond's spokesman said: "Absolutely no assurances have been given at any time by this administration to Mr Trump or his organisation, and any claims to the contrary are wrong.

"If any assurances were given before this administration took office - and Mr Trump is on the record as saying that this aspect specifically relates to the previous administration - then obviously we can have no knowledge of what they were.

"These claims from Mr Sorial are confusing and contradictory, not least because only this week he has indicated that he disagrees with the principle that the policies of one government cannot bind its successors - which in itself suggests he accepts that if there were any assurances they must have come from the previous administration."

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US tycoon Donald Trump arrived in Aberdeen ahead of his bid to convince Scottish ministers to axe an "insane" bid to build a wind farm near his luxury golf resort. Trump touched down at Aberdeen Ai...
US tycoon Donald Trump arrived in Aberdeen ahead of his bid to convince Scottish ministers to axe an "insane" bid to build a wind farm near his luxury golf resort. Trump touched down at Aberdeen Ai...
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10:03 PM on 04/23/2012
If he gets his own way independence is very very unlikely - Salmond wont want to look bad, at a wild guess....
11:37 PM on 04/23/2012
Yes I can see Alex Salmond scratching his bald patch wondering: hmm do I campaign for Scottish independence and fulfill my lifetime's ambition, or... do I stick in with Donald Trump and get a new golf course and an exclusive gated housing complex with hotel posh hotel?
Which of those options is going to make me look bad?
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vividrick
I came, I saw...I had a cup of tea!
12:54 PM on 04/23/2012
A prime example of how big money can buy you big influence, even within the political spectrum, shouldn't be allowed, yet it's a trend that's been going on forever. I support wind farms, I prefer them to pylons when it comes to scenery. This 'magnate' will run for President one day, don't let him form a base here please!!!
10:04 AM on 04/23/2012
Nice of him to come over and help prevent sustainable energy..... :/
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09:41 AM on 04/23/2012
Why has this odious man been allowed to attend this? Exactly what 'evidence' is he going to present? He is nothing more than a businessman, disgruntled by the fact that his rich clients might have their view spoiled a bit when they're playing golf on his exclusive course. Why does that entitle him to more representation and privilege on this subject than the average Scottish citizen? Or make him an expert on anything to do with wind farm and renewables? I do wish the Scottish Government would stop pandering to this man's inflated ego. How dare he fly in and dictate to us how we live.
11:56 PM on 04/23/2012
No, this tube only needs to be given enough airtime to turn everyone in Scotland against him.
I mean, a man called Trump campaigning against 'wind' farms?LOL
09:13 AM on 04/23/2012
Something of a bad smell about this bloke. He's already blighting the landscape with his grandeoise scheme for the idle rich which will be staffed by people on minimum wage.
07:36 AM on 04/23/2012
Just remember one thing in your decision Scotland. Listening to Donald Trump will only inform you about how these wind farms affect Donald Trump.
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Rich Cash
Enlisted in 1971 - Retired in 1996
06:49 AM on 04/23/2012
"Trump touched down at Aberdeen Airport in a private jet... He spoke with waiting journalists before leaving in a chauffeur driven limousine..." Gee, does anyoe else think this article began by painting Trump as an American capitalist? Whatever happened to journalistic integrity? Apparently, such integrity is as absent in the U.K. as it is in the U.S.
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09:42 AM on 04/23/2012
So, they shouldn't report the facts? And Trump IS an American capitalist - he'd be proud to tell you so. Sorry, I don't see the issue here.
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Rich Cash
Enlisted in 1971 - Retired in 1996
10:06 AM on 04/23/2012
Yes, they did indeed report the facts, but they slanted every aspect of the story to make Trump look like a capitalist monster ready to rape the neighborhoods surrounding his golf course. The facts speak for themselves, it's all about how those facts can be used to cast the subject in a false light. What does it matter that he arrived in a privat jet? Should he have traveld coach on US Airways? Why does his limosine make any difference? Would you feel better if he'd rented a Mini-Cooper? If he'd done both of those things, someone would have accused him of hypocricy. He's not gonna win watever he does. Good post anyway, DK...I look forward to more debates!
05:59 AM on 04/23/2012
the donald just wishes he were a tycoon. he's on a TV show for godsake. it's All hot air. For all that Please, please Scottland keep him.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Troy Watts
Right down the toilet...
03:23 AM on 04/23/2012
It's all about you, Don.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
wakyracir
My spaniel is watching you
02:26 AM on 04/23/2012
Go home, Trump.
lightnessandjoy
Is micro-bio a new disease?
02:07 AM on 04/23/2012
They build the mills; you supply the wind, Donald.
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Dhammi
Veritas Vincit!
01:30 AM on 04/23/2012
Mind your own business Donald.....if you really have one or any. The Scots are intelligent people and can make up their own minds and do whatever they decide.
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newshoundmama
My bite's worse than my bark
12:09 AM on 04/23/2012
When he obtains Scottish citizenship, he may have a vote. Until then, he has no business whatever trying to influence the domestic policies of a nation to which he does not belong.
11:58 PM on 04/22/2012
I am a Canadian who had the privilege to tour Scotland in 2005. There were many treasures of this beautiful country that caught my eye. I saw quite a few wind farms, and I would say they did not detract from the scenery. What they did do, was impress on me, that the Scottish people are progressive in their thoughts. We also saw a number of oil platforms that did not leave the same impression.
12:00 AM on 04/23/2012
Sorry, I forgot to mention. Donald is a "goof".
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Rich Cash
Enlisted in 1971 - Retired in 1996
06:42 AM on 04/23/2012
And as a Canadian, you don't have to pay the gas prices imposed upon the citizens of Scotland, nor will you be subjected to the drastic increases in gas prices if those unsightly oil platforms are shut down in favor of the ecolocgically friendly wind farms.
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hearthammer
If left is right and right is wrong, decide!
11:58 AM on 04/23/2012
Who is going to shut down the platforms?

There will be more, in fact, coming online very soon in the fields north of Cape Wrath...............