The ego is landing but who’s going to meet him?
Riddle on the red carpet as president flies in
Nicola Sturgeon insisted yesterday she has no plans to meet Donald Trump, just days before the American President flies into Scotland.
He is expected to arrive at Prestwick Airport from London on Friday evening but it remains unclear who, if anyone, will welcome the 45th President of the United States.
The First Minister’s office remained adamant that there has been no contact over Mr Trump’s trip, while Scotland Secretary David Mu nd ell refused to say if he might be asked to roll out the red carpet.
Yesterday, local councillors in Ayrshire promised there will be “someone” there to greet the president when he touches down on Air Force One.
Ms Sturgeon has been an outspoken critic of Mr Trump but previously said she would meet him if he came to Scotland. However, the White House has not confirmed any official business when Mr Trump comes to Scotland, where he is expected to stay at his Turnberr y resort until Sunday.
Police have estimated the cost of security for his weekend in Scotland, where protests are expected, could hit £5 million.
Yesterday, one of Ms Sturgeon’s predecessors as first minister said her government must find a way of doing business with the White House.
Jack McConnell, who welcomed president George W Bush at Prestwick before the G8 summit in 2005, said arrangements for such a high- profile visit would normally be agreed before now and not “at the last minute”.
But he said the Scottish Government should be working to make the most of an opportunity to build relations with the US for the benefit of the country.
Lord McConnell said: “President Trump is a very controversial figure – he provokes significant reaction and at times enjoys provoking that reaction.
“But he does have an affinity with Scotland and therefore the government of the world’s biggest economy currently has a very strong affinity with Scotland.
“The Scottish Government need to find a way of Scotland deriving some benefit from that relationship while at the same time being honest about where they disagree. That is not an impossible thing to do.”
He added: “In many ways President Bush was more controversial than President Trump at the time.
“President Trump is controversial for what he says. President Bush was controversial for what he had done – Iraq War, Guantanamo, torture of suspects.
“But it was absolutely right and proper he was met by the First Minister when he came to Scotland and we were able to conduct ourselves with respect but also with honesty.”
Mr Trump’s arrival will spark protests around the country,
including at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Turnberry and his other Scottish golf resort in Aberdeenshire.
A giant inflatable “Trump baby” balloon which will greet the US President in London on Friday morning is also said to be on its way to Scotland.
Full details of his itinerary in Scotland are not expected to be revealed until later this week. It is being described as a “private element” of the official visit.
US Ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson said Mr Trump would spend a lot of time preparing for talks with Russian President Vladmir Putin which are scheduled to take place in Helsinki on Monday.
He is expected to spend time at his golf course at Turnberry in Ayrshire and is expected to play there, although that has not been confirmed.
It is not anticipated he will leave the mainland, ruling out a trip to the island of Lewis, the birthplace of his mother, which he has visited previously.
Defence commentator Tim Ripley said: “I would also expect Trump to come into Prestwick on Air Force One and, like Bush, he will use the place as a springboard for the Scottish leg of his UK visit.”
“I would imagine a fleet of helicopters will be at Prestwick in advance of his arrival to transport him and his party straight from the tarmac to his golf courses, or anywhere else he needs to go.
“The choppers will include Marine One, which is the call sign of any United States Marine Corps aircraft used to transport the president.”
Mr Ripley said it would not be unusual for up to 2,000 US personnel – including military, security and administration staff – to be involved in an operation to bring the US President to the UK.
“As well as Air Force One, I would expect at least one other presidential jet will be coming with him to Scotland too, which will be filled with US government staff and media people,” he said.
The prospect of the US President arriving in the area has been welcomed.
Prestwick councillor Hugh Hunter said: “While President Trump is clearly a divisive character, my own view is, as the President of the United States he holds an office that should be respected.
“As a businessman he has brought nothing but good things to south Ayrshire.
“There will be someone there to greet him at Prestwick Airport, be it airport officials or someone from the council.”
Former deputy leader for South Ayrshire Council, Margaret Toner, said: “If the Scottish Government aren’t prepared to meet Donald Trump arriving at Prestwick the void should be filled by the leadership of South Ayrshire Council as a reception party.”
However, Richard Leonard, leader of Scottish Labour which is helping to organise the Scotland United Against Trump protests, said: “The sight of mothers separated from babies – and children caged like animals – has horrified people across the globe. We should not be welcoming the man responsible.”
The First Minister’ s spokesman said there had been no contact “as far as I’m aware”. He said: “We have made clear previously we would be prepared to consider a meeting should one be proposed but there is currently no meeting scheduled.”