GLIDER FLEES
Greenpeace say airborne intruder who flew over Trump’s hotel will already have left country
Police faced embarrassing questions over Donald Trump’s security after it was claimed an airborne intruder who targeted the president has fled the country.
The taxpayer has been forced to pay £ 5million to keep Trump safe from harm during his four- day visit to the United Kingdom.
He touched down in Scotland on Friday night and headed for his Turnberry hotel resort in Ayrshire under the protection of Police Scotland and US Secret Service bodyguards.
A strict ban on aircraft flying over Turnberry was put in place as the area went on high alert for the controversual VIP guest.
Despi t e the clampdown, a Greenpeace protester operating a battery- powered paraglider with a “Trump, wel l below par” banner managed to circle the estate before flying past snipers.
Trump, who was outside on the Turnberry lawn as the intruder flew overhead, was ushered inside by bodyguards who spotted the man hovering above the building.
Greenpeace claim they informed law enforcement off icers of their plan minutes before putting it into action.
Pol ice said yesterday that the protester had put himself in “a lot of danger” as they attemped to trace the suspect.
But Greenpeace responded by saying that their volunteer was likely to have left Scotland.
A retired police chief described the incident as “extremely embarrassing” for the force.
Tom Buchan, who was a chief super intendent and div isional commander w i th the former Strathclyde Police, predicted a major inquiry would be launched.
He said the activist should not have got so close to the US president and expected American and UK authorities to ask for an explanation.
Buchan, who retired in 2006 after more than 30 years’ service, added: “This is extremely embarrassing for Police Scotland.
“Questions will be asked of Police Scotland by the Americans and the British Government.
“How did this happen and how did he manage to escape?
“I’m quite sure steps are already being taken to bring him back to Scotland if he has left.
“This is a very unfortunate incident for Police Scotland, to happen with the president so close by.
“You have also got to wonder what the Americans will be thinking of this security lapse, particularly their Secret Service. It would be interesting to know what they knew at the time and what steps they took to protect the president.
“Had this happened in the US, the paraglider could have been shot down.”
Buchan, who is a former president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, said the role and availability of the police helicopter will also be questioned.
He added: “The helicopter could have been used to pursue and detain the paraglider. I can only assume that the helicopter was needed elsewhere at the time.”
Buchan said the incident is being discussed by officers across Scotland on police social media sites and chatrooms.
He added: “Everyone feels this has been embarrassing for the force, particularly as they appear to have had some advance warning of the paraglider.
“It is particularly embarrassing that he was allowed to escape considering there are so many officers on the ground providing security.”
The protest took place while airspace around the hotel and golf resort was closed off by police and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Police Scotland have launched a criminal investigation into the incident. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: “There is now an active criminal inquiry into the breach of the air exclusion zone around Turnberry on Friday evening. A powered parachute was flown in front of the hotel.”
Williams added that police were aware Greenpeace had organised the protest and off icers were now investigating the individual who was in the paraglider. He said: “I would stress that the individual who f lew the powered parachute put himself in a lot of danger by entering the air exclusion zone.
“While we understand and respect that protest will take place, the air exclusion zone is there for a reason. It’s there to protect the president and it’s there to protect people who wish to protest in such a way.”
Detective Inspector Stephen McCulloch added: “We are investigating a breach of the air exclusion zone over Turnberry hotel, which is a criminal offence.
“We are attempting to trace the pilot and I would appeal to anyone with any information about the incident to call Police Scotland on 101.”
Greenpeace spokesman Ben Stewart defended the stunt and said that although the group would help police with their investigation, the activist responsible for the stunt was likely to have left the country.
He added: “The paraglider is a long-standing Greenpeace activist who did something that was very important. Trump has been going about from place to place in his helicopter trying to avoid the protests, acting like a visiting dignitary in Afghanistan.
“The paraglider was carrying a message from hundreds of thousands of people on the streets. We’re delighted that Trump actually saw a real life, physical protester.
“I don’t think the paraglider is even in Scotland now. Of course, if the police contacted us, we would chat to them and take it from there.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she expected Police Scotland to examine this weekend’s security operation to protect Trump and his wife Melania.
When asked about the incident, she said: “I’m sure the police will be looking carefully at all aspects of security over the weekend.
“It’s important the police keep the president safe while he’s in Scotland.
“I want to pay tribute to our police, who have been working very hard not just to keep the president safe but to make sure that people have the democratic ability to make their voices heard. The police do a fantastic job.”
We are investigating a breach of the air exclusion zone over Turnberry hotel, which is a criminal offence