Donald Trump axed as Scots business ambassador

Donald Trump has had his GlobalScot ambassador status revoked. Picture: Getty Images

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon withdrew the US entrepreneur’s membership of the GlobalScot business network ‘with immediate effect’, following Mr Trump’s comments about Muslims.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States” following terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, in California.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “Mr Trump’s recent remarks have shown that he is no longer fit to be a business ambassador for Scotland and the First Minister has decided his membership of the respected GlobalScot business network should be withdrawn with immediate effect.”

The GlobalScot network is a Scottish Development International (SDI) scheme, made up of more than 700 ‘executives’ with strong links to Scotland.

The network is primarily aimed at promoting Scottish businesses overseas, and includes such figureheads as Stagecoach bus tycoon Brian Souter and oil chief Sir Ian Wood.

Mr Trump was invited to become a GlobalScot by First Minister Jack McConnell in April 2006.

Mr McConnell said at the time: “Donald has shown a real passion for Scotland. He is a globally recognised figure who can help us to promote Scotland. This is a good bit of business for all concerned.”

Mr Trump is no stranger to controversial comments, having previously compared wind farms with the Lockerbie bombing.

The billionaire businessman was criticised after he said: “Wind farms are a disaster for Scotland, like Pan Am 103.”