I'll fight him on the beaches, says Molly, 85

Published on Monday 23 November 2009 21:58

UNTIL now, pensioner Molly Forbes has been content to take a back seat while her son made headlines around the world as the kilted "Local Hero" who has became a major thorn in the side of the mighty Trump Empire.

Three years ago, she even opted to go for a game of bingo rather than attend a face-to-face confrontation with Donald Trump over his plans to build a 1 billion golf resort a stone's throw from where she lives.

But yesterday, it was the turn of the 85-year-old great-grandmother to take centre-stage in the David and Goliath battle over the Menie estate, when she launched her own legal bid to block plans by the property tycoon to develop part of his massive resort on the home she calls "Paradise".

But in response, the billionaire launched an astonishing personal attack on Mrs Forbes' son, describing him as "dirty, sloppy and unkempt in his personal appearance and demeanour" and accusing him of exploiting his mother.

Mrs Forbes has lived in her chalet home – Paradise, Mill of Menie, which is owned by her son Michael – for more than six years.

The pensioner is one of the residents on land next to the Menie Estate, near Balmedie in Aberdeenshire, who have been approached by the Trump Organisation with a fresh offer to buy them out.

Fears were first raised in September that they could be evicted by compulsory purchase after Aberdeenshire councillors voted to include their land in a revised masterplan of the huge Trump development.

But it was revealed yesterday that Mrs Forbes has now raised an action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, challenging Aberdeenshire Council's handling of the Trump application.

Mrs Forbes declared: "I didn't call my house Paradise for nothing. We don't want Trump or his golf course – it will ruin everything."

She explained: "My legal team will argue that Aberdeenshire Council have failed to follow correct procedures, and that the permissions granted therefore cannot stand."

She added: "I never expected in my life to face eviction from my home, let alone for a golf course. I will never give up, and I urge them to think again."

Last night, however, Mr Trump hit back and branded Mr Forbes "the local village idiot".

Speaking from Trump Tower in New York, the tycoon declared: "It is tragic that an elderly woman is being exploited to further the personal vendetta of Michael Forbes.

"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.

"As far as Mr Forbes' mother is concerned, it's too bad she is being used like this and we wish her the best."

DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH

MOLLY FORBES

Great grandmother

Age: 85

Property portfolio: Chalet home Paradise, Mill of Menie.

Legal representation: Frances McCartney of the Environmental Law Centre Scotland, a charity offering legal advice and help on environ-mental matters.

DONALD TRUMP

Billionaire property developer

Age: 63

Property portfolio: Trump Tower, New York; prime Manhattan real estate and a global collection of hotels, casinos and golf courses.

Legal representation: Trump Organisation lawyers assisted by Ann Faulds of Dundas and Wilson.