Latest news with #ScottishPoliceFederation
The Hill
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump expected to face protests during Scotland trip: What to know
President Trump's upcoming trip to Scotland on Friday is expected to erupt in protests from local statesmen who oppose his administration. The 'Stop Trump Coalition' organized demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh on Saturday to disrupt the president's visit. 'He has repeatedly extorted America's closest allies, including the UK, with his tariff warfare, while cosying up to wanted war criminals like Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin,' a spokesperson for the group said in a statement online. 'And, of course, people in Scotland who simply wanted to live in peace near what is now his vanity project golf course have experienced Trump's abusive and high-handed behaviour first-hand, long before he first entered the White House,' they added. Trump Organization to open new golf course Trump's visit is slated to celebrate the opening of a new 18-hole course outside of Aberdeen, to be named after his mother Mary Anne MacLeod, who was of Scottish descent. Trump also is set to meet with foreign dignitaries, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney during the July 25-29 trip, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Police presence expected Police in Scotland are bracing for large gatherings and demonstrations. David Kennedy, the general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said normal operations will be impacted. 'It will be seriously affected, it has to be. There's not enough police officers for it not to be affected,' Kennedy said during a BBC broadcast. Leaders have encouraged protestors to remain civil amid understaffing for the duration of Trump's visit. 'We are used to policing protests in this country, we do it very well, and I hope the protesters realise that police officers in Scotland are friendly and we just want people and the public to be safe. A policing plan will be in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimise disruption,' Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said according to the Oxford Mail. 'The visit will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other UK police forces as part of mutual aid arrangements. However, others echoed Kennedy's concern for local residents as officers respond to calls regarding political demonstrations against the president. 'Let's be clear: this is a private visit by a head of state to play golf. And we are pulling 1,500 officers—roughly a third of the size of an average police force in England and Wales—away from their normal duties to support it,' said Tiff Lynch, national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, according to a report by The Independent. 'That should stop anyone in their tracks. These are officers who would otherwise be responding to emergencies, safeguarding the vulnerable, and reassuring communities. Instead, they're being asked to give up rest days and work excessive hours to police a leisure visit,' she added. Past protests erupted at Turnberry Golf Course Several protests have already taken place at the Trump Organization's Turnberry Golf Course, listed as the most expensive site per round in the United Kingdom. During Trump's last presidential visit in 2018, groups gathered outside of the property to boo the president while he played an afternoon match on the course. Demonstrators also flew a paraglider around the area with a message criticizing the president's first term. 'Trump's coming to play golf and our activists are going to be following him around wherever he goes. No peace for an authoritarian fascist leader like Trump,' Seema Syeda of the UK Stop Trump Coalition said in an Instagram post. In recent days, executives at the Trump Organization and professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau have been advocating for the site to serve as a host for the British Open, the oldest golf tournament in the world. Turnberry hosted the renowned event once before in 2009 and is still on R&A's 10-venue British Open rotation but isn't playing an active role, the AP reported. Some Scottish leaders are planning to use Trump's upcoming visit to discuss opportunities for economic growth through his properties and a negotiate for better trade deals. 'This is about investment, exports, and jobs, not politics. Scotland's exports, from whisky and salmon to renewables and fintech, are world-class. The US is a key market, and now's the time to reinforce our value,' Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce said in a statement to The Sunday Post. 'We should be pushing for better trade terms, fewer barriers, and stronger commercial partnerships. This is about delivering real economic impact.' Guy Hinks, chair of the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland told the outlet companies and leaders should be 'seizing every opportunity to engage with the president of the United States on matters affecting the interests of Scottish businesses.'
STV News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- STV News
First Minister to discuss whisky tariffs, Gaza, and Ukraine with Trump
John Swinney and Donald Trump are expected to have a one-to-one meeting later this week to discuss whisky tariffs, Gaza, and Ukraine. Swinney said it's his duty as First Minister to 'engage, protect, and promote' the interests of Scotland during the US President's visit. Trump will be at both of his golf courses in Scotland: Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire, between July 25 and 29. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Aberdeen, and plans are also being made for him to meet Swinney, according to the Scottish Government. 'Many of the economic ties that are so significant for Scotland will be issues that I would want to discuss, particularly some of the issues around tariffs, which can have a very negative effect on some of our key industries, particularly around Scottish whisky, which is so important to the American market,' Swinney said on Wednesday. 'And then, of course, there are issues of international significance that trouble us all — the situation in Gaza and the situation in Ukraine, which are obviously issues of significant importance to me and the people of Scotland.' Trump's visit is the biggest policing operation that Police Scotland has faced since Queen Elizabeth's death. The Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, warned again that the Presidential visit will have a significant impact. But Swinney said he's 'confident' Police Scotland has the resources and planning to deal with the visit. Trump's visit is expected to spark protests from community members who object to the Republican president's views on a variety of issues, including the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Swinney previously urged protesters to express their views 'peacefully' and 'within the law'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Powys County Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Scottish policing will be ‘seriously affected' by Trump visit, says police body
Policing across Scotland will be 'seriously affected' by the visit of US President Donald Trump, the head of a police body has said. Mr Trump is expected to touch down in Scotland on Friday ahead of a four-day stay at his golf clubs in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire. The president – whose mother was born on the Isle of Lewis before emigrating to America – will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during the visit, as well as Scottish First Minister John Swinney. The policing operation required to handle both the visit and any protests that may spring up as a result of it will be huge, with Police Scotland seeking officers from other areas of the UK for support. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland on Wednesday, David Kennedy, the general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation – the body which represents rank-and-file police officers – said: 'Anyone who says it won't affect it (policing in Scotland), I can't believe that's the case. 'It will affect it. 'You may be waiting in the past for so many hours for a police officer to arrive, that could double now, you may be waiting for more time for them to arrive. 'Obviously, emergency calls will take priority, but it will affect communities in Scotland. 'We've been asking long and weary to have more police officers in our communities in Scotland and all this does is take them away from that at this time.' Asked if the quality of policing will be impacted by the visit, Mr Kennedy added: 'It will be seriously affected, it has to be. 'There's not enough police officers for it not to be affected.' Concerns have also been raised about the cost of the policing operation, with officers likely to cancel rest days to ensure adequate staffing. But speaking to the PA news agency on Tuesday, Mr Swinney said talks are ongoing between Police Scotland and the Scottish and UK governments on funding, asserting that policing in Scotland will not be put in a 'detrimental position' as a result. Mr Kennedy also reiterated calls from Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond for those seeking to protest to do so peacefully. 'All I would ask is for protesters to remember the police officers that are there to protect them, make sure that any protests are safe and are free from violence, that is all the police officers want. 'We are used to policing protests in this country, we do it very well, and I hope the protesters realise that police officers in Scotland are friendly and we just want people and the public to be safe.' Ms Bond said: 'A policing plan will be in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimise disruption. 'The visit will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other UK police forces as part of mutual aid arrangements. 'Officers make sacrifices every day to keep people safe, and their dedication and professionalism is the reason we manage to deliver significant operations.'
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Donald Trump visit to Scotland means police response times could 'double'
The SPF warned Trump's visit could leave the public waiting longer for an officer to respond to a call-out. Police response times could "double" as a result of Donald Trump's visit to Scotland this weekend, the public has been warned. The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) said today policing across the country will be "seriously affected" by the arrival of the US President at the end of the week. The organisation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said it was inevitable the scale of the security operation required would have a knock-on effect. David Kennedy, SPF chief, said: "Anyone who says it won't affect it (policing in Scotland), I can't believe that's the case. It will affect it. "You may be waiting in the past for so many hours for a police officer to arrive, that could double now, you may be waiting for more time for them to arrive. Obviously, emergency calls will take priority, but it will affect communities in Scotland. "We've been asking long and weary to have more police officers in our communities in Scotland and all this does is take them away from that at this time." Trump is expected to land at Prestwick airport before spending time at his nearby five-star hotel at Turnberry. He will later fly to Aberdeenshire to open a second golf course at his Menie Estate. Asked if the quality of policing will be impacted by the visit, Kennedy added: 'It will be seriously affected, it has to be. There's not enough police officers for it not to be affected.' Concerns have also been raised about the cost of the policing operation, with officers likely to cancel rest days to ensure adequate staffing. John Swinney said yesterday that talks are ongoing between Police Scotland and the Scottish and UK governments on funding Kennedy also reiterated calls from Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond for those seeking to protest to do so peacefully. 'All I would ask is for protesters to remember the police officers that are there to protect them, make sure that any protests are safe and are free from violence, that is all the police officers want. 'We are used to policing protests in this country, we do it very well, and I hope the protesters realise that police officers in Scotland are friendly and we just want people and the public to be safe.' Bond said: 'A policing plan will be in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimise disruption. 'The visit will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other UK police forces as part of mutual aid arrangements. 'Officers make sacrifices every day to keep people safe, and their dedication and professionalism is the reason we manage to deliver significant operations.'
South Wales Argus
20 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Scottish policing will be ‘seriously affected' by Trump visit, says police body
Mr Trump is expected to touch down in Scotland on Friday ahead of a four-day stay at his golf clubs in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire. The president – whose mother was born on the Isle of Lewis before emigrating to America – will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during the visit, as well as Scottish First Minister John Swinney. The policing operation required to handle both the visit and any protests that may spring up as a result of it will be huge, with Police Scotland seeking officers from other areas of the UK for support. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland on Wednesday, David Kennedy, the general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation – the body which represents rank-and-file police officers – said: 'Anyone who says it won't affect it (policing in Scotland), I can't believe that's the case. The president will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his visit to Scotland (Carl Court/PA) 'It will affect it. 'You may be waiting in the past for so many hours for a police officer to arrive, that could double now, you may be waiting for more time for them to arrive. 'Obviously, emergency calls will take priority, but it will affect communities in Scotland. 'We've been asking long and weary to have more police officers in our communities in Scotland and all this does is take them away from that at this time.' Asked if the quality of policing will be impacted by the visit, Mr Kennedy added: 'It will be seriously affected, it has to be. 'There's not enough police officers for it not to be affected.' Concerns have also been raised about the cost of the policing operation, with officers likely to cancel rest days to ensure adequate staffing. David Kennedy is the general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (Andrew Milligan/PA) But speaking to the PA news agency on Tuesday, Mr Swinney said talks are ongoing between Police Scotland and the Scottish and UK governments on funding, asserting that policing in Scotland will not be put in a 'detrimental position' as a result. Mr Kennedy also reiterated calls from Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond for those seeking to protest to do so peacefully. 'All I would ask is for protesters to remember the police officers that are there to protect them, make sure that any protests are safe and are free from violence, that is all the police officers want. 'We are used to policing protests in this country, we do it very well, and I hope the protesters realise that police officers in Scotland are friendly and we just want people and the public to be safe.' Ms Bond said: 'A policing plan will be in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimise disruption. 'The visit will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other UK police forces as part of mutual aid arrangements. 'Officers make sacrifices every day to keep people safe, and their dedication and professionalism is the reason we manage to deliver significant operations.'
