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Channel 4
5 minutes ago
- Channel 4
What does Trump have planned on Scotland trip?
Trump can expect a somewhat mixed welcome this weekend – one Scottish newspaper depicted his photo on its front page alongside the headline 'convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland'.
Times
6 minutes ago
- Times
Starmer rejects call to follow Macron in recognising Palestinian state
Sir Keir Starmer has rejected a call by more than 130 Labour MPs to follow Emmanuel Macron and formally recognise a Palestinian state amid concerns that the issue would overshadow President Trump's visit to the UK. The French president announced on Thursday that he would formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, increasing pressure on Starmer. Cabinet ministers have privately been urging the prime minister to do the same and on Friday more than a third of his backbenchers signed a letter calling on him to follow suit. The issue threatens to dominate Trump's four-day visit to the UK, which formally begins on Saturday. Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, said that Macron's decision was 'reckless' and 'only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace'. 'It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7,' he added. Speaking on Friday before flying to Scotland for a five-day visit, Trump said that Macron's announcement 'doesn't matter'. 'He's a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn't carry weight,' he said, adding: 'Here's the good news: What he says doesn't matter. It's not going to change anything.' Starmer's reluctance is likely to deepen divisions within the cabinet, with one member of the government immediately branding the response 'deeply inadequate'. A senior government source said that there were concerns that recognising a Palestinian state while Trump was visiting could derail discussions over a US-UK trade deal. Starmer is meeting Trump at his Turnberry golf course on Monday. In a statement released after talks with Macron, Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, and Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, Starmer made clear that he would not bring forward an announcement. Starmer said that while he was 'unequivocal' about recognising a Palestinian state, he would only do so at a time of 'maximum utility to improve the lives of those who are suffering'. It means that the UK will not recognise a Palestinian state until there is a ceasefire with the return of the October 7 hostages, and humanitarian aid is restored to Gaza. Starmer said: 'Alongside our closest allies, I am working on a pathway to peace in the region, focused on the practical solutions that will make a real difference to the lives of those that are suffering in this war. 'That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire, so desperately needed, into a lasting peace. 'Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis. This is the way to ensure it is a tool of maximum utility to improve the lives of those who are suffering — which, of course, will always be our ultimate goal.' He said that the scenes in Gaza were 'appalling' and 'unrelenting'. 'The continued captivity of hostages, the starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the increasing violence from extremist settler groups, and Israel's disproportionate military escalation in Gaza are all indefensible,' he said. A total of 136 Labour MPs — equivalent to a third of Starmer's parliamentary party — have signed a cross-party letter calling for Britain to stand up to its 'historic responsibility' and recognise a Palestinian state. The letter was signed by 221 MPs in total. It said: 'Whilst we appreciate the UK does not have it in its power to bring about a free and independent Palestine, UK recognition would have a significant impact due to our historic connections and our membership on the UN Security Council, so we urge you to take this step. 'British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine. Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that mandate.' • Why Israel can't brush off France's recognition of a Palestine state The letter was organised by Sarah Champion, a Labour MP and chair of the international development select committee. It was signed by 19 select committee chairs in total including the Labour MPs Emily Thornberry, Tan Dhesi, Debbie Abrahams and Florence Eshalomi. Jess Morden, the chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, was also a signatory. Israel condemned Macron's decision. Binyamin Netanyahu said the announcement 'rewards terror' and warned that a Palestinian state would be a 'launch pad to annihilate Israel'. The Knesset, Israel's parliament, voted to annex the West Bank — a move which would make a Palestinian state impossible. Itamar Ben-Gvir, national security minister and the most outspoken far-right minister in Netanyahu's cabinet, said: 'Complete halt of 'humanitarian' aid. Total occupation of the Strip. Total destruction of Hamas. Encouragement of migration. Settlement. 'This is not the alternative path — this is the royal road to securing the release of the hostages and achieving victory in the war.' • Israel and US pull out of Gaza ceasefire talks with 'selfish' Hamas Sir Jeremy Greenstock, a former British ambassador to the UN, was one of 50 diplomats who signed a letter calling for Starmer to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state. He said it would go beyond 'rhetoric' and encourage countries in the Middle East to follow suit.
Telegraph
6 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Turnberry turned into ‘American prison' for Trump's arrival
Turnberry resort has been transformed into an 'American prison', complete with high fencing and 'sniper towers', for Donald Trump's visit. The US president touched down in Scotland on Friday evening for a few days of golf at his resort in Ayrshire ahead of a trip to Aberdeen next week. Campaign groups have vowed to welcome Mr Trump with a 'festival of resistance', aiming to make their voice heard on issues from climate change to the plight of Palestinians. Gavin Scott, an independent councillor for Girvan and South Carrick, said police had gone above and beyond to deter potential disruption. He told The Telegraph: 'A local resident likened the high fencing and sniper tower surrounding the golf course to an American prison, finding the view quite disturbing and intimidating with a large armed police presence.' Trump Turnberry has become a lightning rod for protest groups targeting the president this year. Palestine Action daubed the resort's white buildings in red paint in March and Greenpeace created a sand portrait of Mr Trump on the beach by the course beside a message reading: 'Time to fight the billionaire takeover'. Earlier this week, protesters sabotaged a sign at Mr Trump's golf course in Aberdeenshire with a placard that claimed the luxury resort was 'twinned with Epstein Island'. The stunt was staged by the political campaign group Everyone Hates Elon as the US president faces renewed scrutiny over his past links to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and sex offender who died in 2024. On Monday, White House communications director Stephen Cheung said Trump once kicked Epstein out of his club for being a 'creep' and called allegations about him 'recycled, old fake news'. Mr Trump's visit to the UK will include hosting Sir Keir Starmer for dinner before travelling to the 'oil capital of Europe' Aberdeen for 'lunches' and opening the new golf course at his resort at Menie. Mr Trump told reporters at the White House that 'Turnberry is rated the number one golf course in the world'. 'I'm going to see it for the first time in years,' he said, adding: 'It's the best resort in the world, I think. It's one of the greatest courses.' Mr Scott said there had been murmurs of discontent around the villages over 'who's footing the bill' for the extra security. 'To ask Police Scotland or our own government to pay for an already undermanned police force is quite ridiculous and grossly unfair,' he said. Cllr Alec Clark, deputy leader of South Ayrshire Council, said there would always be 'associated costs for any world leaders visit'. 'This is a democracy and people are entitled to make their feelings known,' he told The Telegraph. Emma Bond, Asst Chief Constable, encouraged protest groups to discuss their plans with police. She said: 'As you can imagine, it is a large-scale, complex operation, but actually that's something that Police Scotland is immensely experienced at doing.' The policing plan involves local, national and specialist officers from Police Scotland as well as other forces. She said: 'The key very much is to make sure the president of the United States can come, enjoy a peaceful and safe visit to Scotland and ensure Police Scotland is able to maintain delivery of services to the rest of the community within Scotland over the period of his visit.' Despite the protests, Mr Scott said most residents were supportive of Mr Trump. 'The feeling on the ground here in Girvan and surrounding villages is mainly of excitement and quite happy about President Trump's visit,' he said, pointing out that Mr Trump had refurbished the hotel and tended to the world famous course. 'Something tells me he is using his round to help persuade the R&A to return 'The Open' to Turnberry, we all wish him well on that one, what an achievement that would be!' The Ailsa course at Turnberry, sporting views of the granite craig in the Firth of Clyde and across to the Isle of Arran and the Mull of Kintyre, has hosted the Open championship four times. The course last hosted the British golf tournament in 2009 and Mr Trump is thought to be eyeing up one of the next free slots from 2028 onwards. 'No friend of Scotland' Campaign groups will gather by the William Wallace Statue at Union Terrace in Aberdeen, as well as outside the US consulate in Edinburgh on Saturday. Speaking ahead of the protests, Alena Ivanova, a campaigner with the Stop Trump Coalition said: 'Donald Trump may shake hands with our leaders, but he's no friend of Scotland. 'We, the people of Scotland, see the damage he has done – to democracy and working people in the US, to the global efforts to tackle the climate crisis, to the very principles of justice and humanity.' She added: 'As he dreams of rivieras built on the bones of Palestinians, we demand an end to the genocide. 'Trump is not welcome because he represents all that Scottish people reject.' Liz Murray, head of Scottish campaigns at Global Justice Now who are a part of the Stop Trump Coalition added: 'Trump is bullying his way around the world, slapping tariffs on countries, or threatening to – and that includes us here. 'He's using these threats to impose the interests of his oligarch friends on us – and in particular the Big Tech barons who have his ear – when actually governments should be taxing them and reining in their power. 'It's vital that both Keir Starmer and John Swinney stand up to him – because if they give him an inch on this or anything else he'll take a mile.'
