Commission to investigate Trump claims

THE body that monitors election spending has been asked to investigate reports that US tycoon Donald Trump is to fund “a massive advertising campaign” against council candidates who support wind turbines.

Mr Trump, on a self-declared mission “to save Scotland” from the turbines, is reportedly backing campaign group Communities Against Turbines Scotland to “make life uncomfortable for politicians, planners and wind power developers”.

Quoted in Holyrood magazine, campaign chairwoman Susan Crosthwaite said: “Donald Trump will help us by doing some advertising.” However, the Green Party expressed “serious concern” at the threat of overseas donations being used against council candidates and has referred the matter to the Electoral Commission.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: “It’s bad enough that Mr Trump has thrown a hissy fit about the chance that he might be able to see turbines from his golf resort … but the possibility that a foreign billionaire will seek to use his wealth to influence the local elections is outrageous. This is not America and our political process is not for sale at any price.”

Mr Trump is scheduled to appear before Holyrood’s economy, energy and tourism committee on 25 April as part of its inquiry into whether the Scottish Government’s renewable energy targets are achievable.

The Scottish local government elections will take place eight days later. The Electoral Commission says it is considering the Green Party’s complaint.