Is Donald Trump on his way to Scotland?
Donald Trump may come to Britain this summer, with a trip to Balmoral on his itinerary.
The US president has not visited the UK since he was elected to the White House in November, 2016, but reports yesterday suggested a date has been “pencilled in” for July or late summer, despite the threat of protests.
It is understood it will be a “working” visit, not a state visit.
But he could meet the Queen at Balmoral Castle, before visiting his golf resorts at Turnberry in Ayrshire and Balmedie, Aberdeenshire.
In January this year Trump used his first UK interview as US president to declare his love for Scotland, saying it was a “very special place”.
But yesterday Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard vowed the President would be met by a “mass protest”.
He said: “There is a lot of anger at the prospect of Donald Trump coming to Scotland and a strong desire to show he is not welcome here.
“It is my view, and that of the Scottish Labour Party, that someone who holds such misogynist, racist and anti-trade union views, not to mention his dangerous approach to foreign policy, and someone who rejects the Paris Climate Change Agreement, should not be given the red carpet treatment.”
Last year First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a state visit to Britain by Donald Trump should be “unthinkable” after he failed to condemn racist protesters.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Scotland has deep and longstanding ties of family, friendship and business with the United States, which will continue to endure.
“However, we will not compromise our fundamental values of equality, diversity, and human rights and in the event of a Presidential visit to any part of the UK we expect these values to be made clear.”