WESTMINSTER STUMP UP £5M FOR TRUMP VISIT
UK will meet policing costs of US president’s visit to Scotland
THE UK Government have caved in to pressure and agreed to foot the policing bill if Donald Trump visits Scotland during his trip to the UK.
As speculation mounts that the US president will fly into Prestwick next week, Treasury Secretary Liz Truss said she will provide up to £5million.
It’s thought Trump wants to visit his golf resort at Turnberry, Ayrshire, then go by helicopter to his Aberdeenshire course.
The promise of cash to cover costs follows budget warnings from Scotland’s acting chief constable Iain Livingstone.
He said 5000 officers are on standby, with many losing rest days in rota changes for a possible visit.
SNP Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf, who asked the Home Office for money, said: “This is a welcome decision, given that President Trump is coming to the UK on the invitation of the UK Government.
“However, we should not have had to force this decision – and there should never have been an assumption that the Scottish Government would pick up the tab.”
Trump is expected in the UK for talks with Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday next week.
Protests have been organised in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has criticised the decision to roll out the red carpet for the president. She’s previously stripped Trump of a business ambassador role after he called for a ban on Muslims entering the US. Truss confirmed the financial support in a letter yesterday.
She wrote: “The final details of the president’s visit to the UK, including Scotland, are still to be confirmed.
“Policing is a devolved matter in Scotland. However, on an exceptional basis, the Treasury would provide ring-fenced funding of up to £5million to cover the costs incurred by Police Scotland should a visit be confirmed.”
Green Party leader Patrick Harvie said: “Donald Trump has not been invited to Scotland.
“I hope as many people as possible turn up to events in Glasgow and Edinburgh to tell this vile xenophobe that he and his climate denial, bullying attitude and racist and sexist politics are not welcome here.”
Tory MSP Maurice Golden said it was “yet another example” of Scotland benefitting from the “union dividend”.
He added: “Even though policing is devolved to Holyrood, it’s welcome that the UK Government are willing to cover the costs.”