Tilda on Trump: He's discredited, industrial bully. Trump on Tilda: Great actress … ignorant of facts

Published on Thursday 8 October 2009 22:06

OSCAR-WINNING actress Tilda Swinton has offered her support to four families facing eviction from their homes to pave the way for Donald Trump's £1 billion golf resort in Aberdeenshire.

Swinton, who lives in Nairn, in neighbouring Moray, has added her support to an online petition, protesting at the potential use of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to evict four homeowners whose land at the Menie estate is said to be vital to the Trump master plan.

The actress, who was recently revealed to be a descendant of Robert the Bruce, said: "Surely this kind of industrial bullying has been discredited enough. I trust Aberdeenshire Council to know its Highland history and to resist giving in to this attempt at a 21st-century clearance."

But the Trump Organisation said she was "ill-informed".

The petition is being organised by Tripping Up Trump, the umbrella group formed to oppose the Menie development.

Last week, representatives presented a petition containing more than 15,000 signatures opposing the use of CPO powers at Menie to a meeting of Aberdeenshire Council.

Martin Glegg, the group's co-ordinator, said Swinton was one of hundreds who had since registered their support for the families, and the group was greatly encouraged by growing opposition to the CPO threat.

He said: "It is clear local families threatened by Donald Trump's development are not going to sell, so the necessity for the council to provide assurances that they will not be removed from their homes remains.

"They can't be left dangling on the whim of Donald Trump's desires. A proactive approach that demonstrates compassion for local families is urgently needed.

Trump's investment in Scotland may be welcomed, but his style of business is not."

At last week's council meeting, Councillor Martin Ford, a leading opponent of the Trump scheme, tabled a motion to rule out the use of the compulsory purchase powers, but this was defeated by 55 votes to six.

Speaking about Ms Swinton's involvement in the growing protest, George Sorial, the Trump executive in charge of the Menie project, said: "I enjoyed her performance in Michael Clayton but am disappointed that she would make such an ill-informed statement about a site she has not seen or a project she knows nothing about.

"If she would like information about the many benefits our development will bring to Scotland, she should contact us."

He added: "The extremists Ms Swinton seems to represent continue to shamelessly exploit and commercialise the tragic history of the Highland Clearances in their increasingly desperate attempt to rally support for their own dubious agenda.

"They do not, as they falsely claim, represent the voice of the local people who remain firmly in support of this project. And, furthermore, they are the only ones talking about compulsory purchase orders."