'If I'm village idiot then Trump must be the New York clown'

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 21:51

THE home-owner branded a "village idiot" by Donald Trump hit back last night.

• Michael Forbes has hit back at the US tycoon

And a furious Michael Forbes declared: "If I'm the village idiot, then he must be the New York clown. He is just a child that's never grown up. I don't understand why is getting his nappy all in a knot."

Mr Forbes, one of the Menie estate residents who are refusing to sell their homes to pave the way for the 1 billion Trump golf resort, threw his hat into the ring in the increasingly bitter war of words following Mr Trump's blistering attack.

The star of the US version of television show The Apprentice went on the offensive after it was revealed that Mr Forbes' elderly mother, Molly, was to mount a legal bid to block the controversial development.

In an amazing outburst, the tycoon branded Mr Forbes, a salmon fisherman and quarry worker, the "village idiot" and accused him of exploiting his mother to further a personal vendetta against the Trump empire.

Mr Trump went on: "Over the years, my representatives and I have often seen Mr Forbes and he has always been dirty, sloppy and unkempt in his personal appearance and demeanour.

"We will not be distracted by the rants of the local village idiot and intend to vigorously defend any challenge to our project. He is a loser who is seriously damaging the image of both Aberdeenshire and his great country."

Last night, another of the Menie estate residents refusing to sell accused Mr Trump of acting like a schoolyard bully.

David Milne said: "These sort of remarks don't help his cause at all and it will maybe make some people who seem to think Trump is God's gift to this region look a little closer and understand why people across the world don't want him in their area."

Martin Glegg, of Tripping Up Trump, an umbrella group set up to oppose the Menie development, said: "Donald Trump's personal attack on Michael Forbes has again highlighted his delusion over the support for his development.

"With the evidence of Trump's dwindling popularity, a serious question is raised as to whether he actually understands what is happening in Aberdeenshire.

"Trump's statement shows the aggression and arrogance of a man who believes he has local support. Ironically, it is Trump's behaviour that has already damaged this country, making a mockery of planning and environmental laws."

Councillor Martin Ford, who opposes the development, said the US tycoon's comments were "the standard reaction from Mr Trump to anyone who stands up to him".