You don’t own Scotland, Trump told

DONALD Trump was given a blunt warning yesterday that he cannot direct policy on wind power no matter how many millions of pounds he sinks into Scotland.

The move came as the American billionaire property developer prepares to launch a fierce attack on Scotland’s push for wind power at the Scottish Parliament today.

In his sharpest rebuke yet, First Minister Alex Salmond said yesterday that only the “people and the parliament of Scotland” would dictate the energy mix in Scotland. “Investing in Scotland does not imply ownership of Scotland,” he added.

The comments are certain to deepen the spat between the pair, after Mr Trump accused of Mr Salmond of “destroying” Scotland’s landscape with his move to increase wind power in Scotland.

The number of turbines is expected to triple in the coming years, as ministers push forward their efforts to source 100 per cent of the country’s electricity needs from renewable sources.

Mr Trump is expected to be asked by MSPs today to flesh out his claims that both Mr Salmond and former first minister Jack McConnell had given him guarantees that no wind turbines would be situated adjacent to his new course on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.

Both Mr Salmond and Lord McConnell deny having offered him any assurances.