SCOTTISH First Minister John Swinney’s decision to welcome Donald Trump’s son to Bute House has been slammed by opposition MSPs.

The US president’s son Eric Trump met Mr Swinney on Thursday to discuss the Trump Organisation’s business interests in Scotland, including golf courses in Aberdeenshire and Turnberry in South Ayrshire — both recently the focus of anti-Trump actions.

Despite the first minister recently calling for Donald Trump’s forthcoming state visit to be cancelled, and the US president criticising Mr Swinney’s “nasty” endorsement of Kamala Harris during the presidential race, Eric Trump described the meeting as “very warm and friendly,” focusing on the family firm’s “colossal investment and commitment to Scotland” rather than poltics.

Land reform campaigner and socialist MSP Mercedes Villalba was less than impressed.

She told the Star: “Days after we learnt of John Swinney’s cosy relationship with the oil and gas lobby, here he is quietly meeting with a multimillionaire landowner.

“With friends like these, it’s no wonder his government continues to resist popular demands for radical land reform.”

Green Party co-leader Lorna Slater told BBC Radio Scotland: “There is a question about the message that the first minister wants to send by meeting with Eric Trump in this way, and I just think the first minister has made a bad call.

“This isn’t going to protect Scottish businesses. He is trying to show that he wants to be friends with Donald Trump. I don’t agree with that.

“Donald Trump isn’t welcome here, and his politics are not welcome here.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The meeting with Mr Trump provided an opportunity to discuss Scotland’s investment potential and the first minister was pleased to hear about the company’s continued commitment to Scotland, in particular Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire.”