An MSP and two Aberdeenshire councillors have declined a surprise invitation from Trump Vice president, George Sorial, to tour the Menie Estate development next week ahead of its official opening next month.

The Greens say that to date Mr Trump has invested £13m in the development, not the £750m figure that is often reported. And despite having outline consent subject to conditions in 2008, the Trump Organisation only recently applied for and got planning permission for a clubhouse, so it is only a temporary clubhouse which  is being put up.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, said:-

“I will try to find the time later this summer to visit the site with local residents and see the full scale of the Trump Organisation’s destruction of this important natural asset. Sadly on the dates in question I will be working in Parliament and visiting constituents in Glasgow.”

Scottish Green Party Councillor Martin Ford said:

“The Menie dune system was an amazing and beautiful natural habitat before it was targeted for development. I have seen the damage inflicted on the Site of Special Scientific Interest when visiting local residents. This was officially sanctioned vandalism of an important nature conservation area on a horrendous
scale. I don’t have to go to Menie to see a Portacabin.”

Independent Councillor Paul Johnston said:

“The last time I spoke to George Sorial he threatened me. He has now invited me to meet him at a lonely spot on the Aberdeenshire coast. I’m not going.”