Donald Trump 'not welcome in Scotland' as President branded 'convicted criminal and political extremist'
Donald Trump is "not welcome in Scotland" as he is a "convicted criminal and political extremist", the co-leader of the Scottish Greens has said.
Patrick Harvie also described John Swinney's decision to meet with the US President later this month as "tragic". Trump is set to fly to Aberdeen to open a second course at his Menie Estate golf resort as part of a whistle-stop visit to Scotland.
It was confirmed today the Republican leader will meet with Keir Starmer in the Granite City, where a meeting with the SNP leader is also likely.
Harvie, a long-standing critic of both Trump and his presidency, said: "Donald Trump is a convicted criminal and political extremist, there can be no excuses for trying to cosy up to his increasingly fascist political agenda.
"We've all watched in recent months as the US President has sent troops to threaten their own citizens on the streets of Los Angeles, kidnapped innocent people under the guise of mass deportations and now they are constructing a concentration camp in Florida.
"This is a man who has a complete lack of respect for human rights and democracy in America, and whose climate denial threatens everyone around the world. The SNPs decision to meet with this convicted felon is a tragic one, and is out of step with Scotland's values.
"Appeasing political extremists like Trump won't save us from his misinformation and toxic rhetoric.'
Harvie added: "If the Scottish Government won't make it clear to Trump, then I'm sure the people of Scotland on the streets protesting his every move will make it loud and clear. Donald Trump is not welcome here.'
Trump said he would meet with Starmer in Aberdeen, which he described as 'the oil capital of Europe'. He told the BBC: 'They have so much oil there. They should get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil. Cause the windmills are really detrimental to the beauty of Scotland and every other place they go up."
Jackie Baillie said the First Minister must do more than simply talk up the country when he meets the US President this month.
The Scottish Labour deputy leader said Scotland should welcome Trump but added that she supported people's rights to protest against his presence in the UK.
She said: I would expect the First Minister to meet with the elected US President. At the end of the day, John Swinney, who I think is a very cautious politician, will undoubtedly sing the praises of Scotland.
'I want him not just to sing the praises of Scotland but actually to secure for very important sectors of our economy better trade deals in partnership with the United Kingdom, so that whisky, salmon, all these things that we know export well to the US are given a lift up."
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