Donald Trump flies in to furore over degree

Published on Wednesday 6 October 2010 15:58

DONALD Trump yesterday shrugged aside the controversy surrounding a Scottish university's decision to award him an honorary degree as he flew into Aberdeen to view the latest developments at his £750 million golf resort in Aberdeenshire.

The American tycoon is due to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration from Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University at a graduation ceremony tomorrow.

The honorary award has sparked a storm of protest in the North-East. Last week Dr David Kennedy, who was principal of RGU between 1987 and 1997, handed back the honorary degree he had been granted by the university in protest.

And yesterday, only hours after Mr Trump touched down, protesters handed in a 6,500-signature petition to the university authorities, demanding that RGU retract its "controversial and irresponsible" announcement to honour Mr Trump.

The petition was presented by Susan Munro, one of the residents living on the Menie Estate who fear they face eviction to pave the way for the massive development where Trump plans to build the "world's greatest golf course".

She said: "We are still living in constant fear of being thrown out from our homes because of Mr Trump's unreasonable and arrogant demands, and for this reason we think it is completely inappropriate to give this man an honorary degree."

Mr Trump, who was last in Scotland in May, dismissed the protests. He said: "Well, everybody has their opinion."

Later, as he surveyed the work at the championship links site, he said: "I love this project and intend on making regular visits to Menie and will be personally involved every step of the way."