SNP accused of 'hypocrisy' as Salmond is urged to explain Trump meeting

The First Minister has had to defend himself over the meeting as he is prohibited from participating in the planning process.

John Swinney, the finance minister, now has the final say on the issue, which was earlier rejected by Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee.

Mr Salmond met two of Mr Trump's representatives last week in his capacity as the MSP for Gordon, where the resort would be built.

However, he was also criticised for travelling to the meeting in his ministerial car, although a spokesman said it was used for convenience as he was travelling back from government business.

Last night, Jackie Balllie, Scottish Labour's spokeswoman on parliamentary business, accused the SNP of double standards and "hypocrisy" over the ministerial code of conduct.

She said a year ago, Nicola Sturgeon, who is now the health secretary, accused Jack McConnell, the former first minister, of breaching the code in discussions with Mr Trump over the golf resort plan.

Ms Baillie added: "Twelve months later, Ms Sturgeon has gone strangely silent when her own boss has been less than forthcoming about his meeting with Donald Trump's men and the Scottish Government's decision to call in Mr Trump's planning application.

"Ms Sturgeon's silence speaks volumes. It reeks of double standards from her and the SNP. The First Minister owes parliament and the Scottish people a full explanation of his actions."

The latest dispute comes as the full Aberdeenshire Council meets today to discuss the issue and how to deal with future major planning applications.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Trump sent a letter to councillors in which he defends his "masterpiece" project, which he said would bring money and jobs when the area could no longer rely on oil.

He also defended his officials' meeting with Mr Salmond, saying the First Minister and James Mackinnon, the Scottish Government's chief planner, would not discuss any details of the application and did not indicate their support or opposition.

Meanwhile, Sir Ian Woods, a leading Aberdeen businessman, urged the council to give a clear message to the government that it supports the scheme and called for an early public hearing - rather than public inquiry - to avoid it being decided by "time default". Sir Ian acknowledged that there were environmental concerns about the project, but claimed that the economic implications were more significant. He said there were benefits in diversifying the economy and establishing an iconic golf centre to boost sporting tourism.

But Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, one of the leading objectors to the development, reiterated the group's opposition. And he asked Mr Swinney to ensure "well-established procedures will be followed and no unusual or preferential processes will be applied to your consideration of this proposal".

He added: "How ministers choose to determine this application will send a clear message to developers and communities. We hope that message will be that Scotland intends to maintain its natural heritage and the planning system will be applied equally in all circumstances."

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "There will be no preferential treatment and we will be sticking to established procedures."

The Trump scheme includes two championship golf courses and 1,500 homes at the Menie Estate near Balmedie, which would create around 6,000 jobs. It has been backed by business leaders, but environmentalists say it would harm a sensitive area.

Letter from Donald Trump

Dear Councillors:

I thought I should write this letter to inform you that I am a person who feels very strongly about the environment, perhaps especially so in a country where my Mother, Mary MacLeod, was born. Over the years I have done many developments and all have likewise received many environmental approvals and honours...

The reason I was so drawn to the land in Aberdeenshire is that I truly believe it can be, when completed, the greatest golf course anywhere in the world. Because ofthe tremendous expense involved in creating the what I hope will be a ’masterpiece’, it requires additional components such as the hotel, etc. Importantly, these elements also make the golf course, plus the second golf course which will also be absolutely top of the line, work. I believe that many tourists will come to play Trump International Golf Links and they will need a place to stay. T hey will shop in your shops, eat in your restaurants, and be very good for the local economy. Additionally, many jobs will be created and, importantly, some day in the future when the area can no longer rely on oil, this wonderful complex will be not only a great source ofpride, but a source of revenue and employment.

Having owned the land for quite a number of years now, I have become, naturally, very familiar with it and the few remaining uncovered sand dunes. Sadly, they can very quickly be decimated by storms and wind if something is not done to stabilize them. The stabilization process is a very time-consuming and expensive one, but I am willing to spend the money necessary to do so. We are actually putting the course on a very small portion ofthese dunes. As far as the bird population is concerned, thousands ofbirds are killed each year on the site by bird hunters. When Trump International Golf Links is completed, there will be no killing of birds any longer. At the completion ofthe development our land will be made more environmentally friendly than it currently is or has been. The dunes will be stabilized, the wildlife will be protected, and the local economy, and indeed National economy, will be enhanced.

I want to express my gratitude to local MSP Alex Salmond and the Scottish Government's Chief Planner James Mackinnon for agreeing to meet with my representatives last week. Although they would not discuss any particular details ofour planning application and did not in any way indicate their support or opposition to our application, the meetings were important in that they demonstrate a great concern and commitment for the people ofAberdeenshire and Scotland.

With best wishes,

Donald J. Trump