Fury as Scottish First Minister John Swinney rolls out the red carpet for Donald Trump's son Eric despite calling for US President's state visit to be cancelled
John Swinney has been branded a ‘shameless hypocrite’ after cosying up to Donald Trump’s son.
The First Minister hosted Eric Trump at Bute House in Edinburgh for 50 minutes of tea and biscuits just nine days after calling for the US President’s state visit to the UK to be scrapped.
Swinney had railed against President Trump’s ‘unacceptable’ public row with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House.
He said that until the US agreed to protect Ukraine against Russia: ‘I don’t think we should be talking about a second state visit for President Trump’.
He also told MSPs a state visit was ‘unthinkable’ but yesterday rushed from Holyrood straight after First Minister’s Questions to greet Mr Trump, who oversees his father’s golf courses in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire.
Mr Trump, the Executive Vice President of the Trump Organisation, later said Mr Swinney thanked him for the company’s ‘ongoing colossal investment and commitment to Scotland’, which he ‘hugely appreciated’.
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said: ‘One minute John Swinney is making grandstanding demands to cancel Trump’s state visit and the next he’s thanking the President for investing in Scotland.
‘He either can’t remember what he said or is a shameless hypocrite and opportunist. Take your pick.’ Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said the meeting was ‘totally inappropriate’.
Eric Trump, pictured here with wife Lara, met with First MInister John Swinney
John Swinney met with Mr Trump despite calling for his father's state visit to the UK to be scrapped
She added: ‘It sends a terrible message. When it comes to the Trumps, the line between business and politics has always been blurred. Eric Trump is not a normal businessman. He is a figurehead for an administration that is wrecking our planet while cosying up to Vladimir Putin and showing total contempt for human rights and democracy.’
Mr Trump, who is married to Lara, a former TV presenter and senior figure in the Republican party, was joined by Sarah Malone, Executive Vice President of Trump International, Scotland.
Government sources insisted the meeting was strictly about business rather than politics although Mr Trump did refer to his father calling Mr Swinney in December.
Over Walker’s chocolate chip shortbread, Tunnock’s teacakes and caramel wafers, the pair discussed the Trump golf courses at Turnberry and Menie.
President Trump is expected to meet the King in Scotland later this year to discuss the logistics of an unprecedented second state visit to the UK.
There is speculation his visit will coincide with the summer opening of the 18-hole links MacLeod Course at Menie, named after the President’s Lewis-born mother Mary.
Menie is less than 60 miles from the Royal Family’s Aberdeenshire home at Balmoral.
In a statement, Mr Trump, who flew into Edinburgh on a Trump branded jet, said he had been ‘delighted’ by the ‘very warm and friendly meeting’, noting it was the first time any First Minister had invited him to Bute House.
He said: ‘The First Minister thanked me for the Trump Organization’s ongoing colossal investment and commitment to Scotland. This is the first time that I’ve heard those words from the First Minister and they were hugely appreciated.
Mr Swinney had railed against President Trump’s (pictured) ‘unacceptable’ public row with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House
‘Our discussions focused solely on the Trump Organization’s commitment to creating in Trump Turnberry and Trump International in Aberdeenshire two of the most iconic golf destinations in the world. We did not discuss Scottish or US politics but concentrated on golf.
‘It was a very positive and constructive meeting about business and investment.’
A government spokesman said: ‘The First Minister welcomed Eric Trump to Bute House to discuss the contribution Trump International provides to Scotland’s economy.
‘The First Minister regularly meets business people regarding investment in Scotland.
‘The meeting with Mr Trump provided an opportunity to discuss Scotland’s investment potential and the First Minister was pleased to hear about the company’s continued commitment to Scotland, in particular Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire.’
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who previously told Sir Keir Starmer to ‘get up off his knees and revoke that offer of a state visit’, backed the meeting.
Denying it was at odds with Mr Swinney’s previous stance, Mr Flynn said: ‘The FM should be meeting with investors. Engagement is good.’
The mood is very different from the US election last year.
When Mr Swinney said he wanted Democrat rival Kamala Harris to win, Eric Trump said the First Minister had ‘got it very wrong’ with his ‘nasty’ remark.
He said: ‘If he ever needs to call my father and ask about tariffs or negotiate a base, does that benefit Scotland?’
After Donald Trump won, Mr Swinney, who is keen to avoid the President imposing tariffs on Scotch whisky, insisted both sides had ‘moved on’.
