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Donald Trump Organisation Refute “Sleaze” Claim by the former Scottish Deputy 1st Minister over Menie Estate application

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Donald Trump’s right hand man has hit out at accusations of sleaze surrounding his organisation’s application to build a £1 billion golf resort in Scotland.

Above, Carricature of former Scottish Deputy 1st Minister Nicol Stephen MSP who was dissatisfied with Scottish Government interference with planning application

Trump’s George Sorial told MSPs that claims the company had received special treatment were “nonsense” and that a Holyrood probe was delaying the application.

And he warned that while they remained committed to the development at the Menie Estate in north east Scotland, there was still a possibility the deal could go sour.

Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen was today under attack for refusing to apologise to the Trump organisation.

The Aberdeen South MSP has faced demands from Donald Trump’s representative George Sorial he apologise for his “sleaze” accusations over the Scottish government call-in of plans for a £1 billion golf resort

As a result of his comments, the Scottish Parliament’s local government committee is looking into the call-in of the application for the Menie estate plans.

In particular, it is investigating meetings between Trump representatives and First Minister Alex Salmond and chief planner Jim Mackinnon.

Mr Sorial repeated his demands for an apology while giving evidence to the committee along with project manager Neil Hobday yesterday.

Mr Sorial told the committee: “I am surprised the politician who made that comment isn’t at the hearing today.

“I would have liked to ask him to justify what he said.

“As important as any project is for us, our global reputation is more important. We have never had the word sleaze associated with us before.”

But Mr Nicol refused to apologise.

In a statement he said: “I have never at any point criticised the Trump Organisation. I support their project. My concern has always been that the actions of ministers could have prejudiced the application.”

Mr Stephen has also claimed in an interview that the inquiry has exposed “cover-up and concealment”.