by Niall Christie
Scotland editor

DONALD TRUMP’S entry into Scotland should be blocked and the government must issue an unexplained wealth order if the US President visits his golf resorts this month, MSPs have urged.

Rumours in recent days have suggested Mr Trump could travel to Scotland in coming weeks to avoid the January 20 inauguration of Joe Biden, despite travel restrictions imposed because of coronavirus.

A call sign for a plane sometimes used by the president was reportedly found to have registered at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire, near Trump’s Turnberry resort, for January 19.

Earlier this week First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned Trump against travelling to Scotland, claiming: “Coming to play golf is not what I would consider to be an essential purpose.”

Leaders of other Scottish parties have backed calls for banning him from arriving in Scotland, with Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie urging the Home Office to take action. 

Mr Harvie has called for Trump’s investments in Scotland to be investigated, and an unexplained wealth order issued, with a petition seeking answers over how the president financed his purchase of the Turnberry resort now having been backed by almost 3,500 people.

He said: “The scenes we witnessed from the US Capitol on Wednesday were disgraceful, but sadly not surprising.

“This was the inevitable result of a sustained, deliberate strategy by Trump and his far right allies to undermine democracy and the rule of law. 

“We shouldn’t forget that Trump has promoted UK-based fascists too, and that in or out of office he remains a danger to public order. That is a legitimate reason for banning him from travelling to the UK, a step the UK government must now seriously consider.”

Scotland’s Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf also called for action to be taken against Trump, saying that the Home Office should consider denying the US President entry to Britain after he leaves office. 

Mr Yousaf accused the president on social media of “inciting a violent mob” after his supporters stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday.

The SNP minister said that Home Secretary Priti Patel must use powers to ban Mr Trump if his presence in Scotland is not “conducive to the public good.” 

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard also spoke out about the scenes in Washington on Wednesday, calling the moves an “assault on democracy” and the result of the President’s “demagogic actions.”