SCOTTISH Labour leader Anas Sarwar’s calls to leverage Donald Trump’s Scottish roots to “make Scotland greater again” were branded “crass, tone-deaf and stupid” today.

Mr Sarwar made the remarks in a column in the Times newspaper, published as he attended the annual Tartan Day Parade in New York City. 

He has spent a week in the US catching-up with his friend Peter Mandelson, the British ambassador to the US, and joining Britain’s Trade Minister Douglas Alexander on a round of meetings with business leaders. 

“President Trump’s affinity for Scotland is real, regardless of what people think of his politics,” he wrote.

“His family’s investments in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire are real and significant. They have created jobs, attracted tourism.

“I am sure at times they have felt frustrated at doing business in Scotland, but the benefits of having a president of the United States as an advocate for others to invest in Scotland should be obvious.”

Branding the SNP “hostile to business,” he argued for a “new approach to economic development — one that encourages entrepreneurship.”

He concluded in language reminiscent of the US president: “It’s time for a first minister who will put Scotland’s interests first.

“It’s time for a leader who is ready to be a deal maker for Scotland.”

In a reference to Mr Trump’s “Make America Great Again” hats, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn responded on X (formerly Twitter): “Just know he has red baseball caps on order.”

Former Labour MSP and shadow minister Neil Findlay, who recently left the party over welfare cuts, told the Star: “For Anas Sarwar to parrot Trump lines at a time when jobs are being shed across the globe because of Trump’s arrogance is at best misjudged and at worst crass, tone-deaf and stupid.”