DONALD Trump’s claim that Sean Connery was instrumental in the building of one of the president’s Scottish golf courses has been dismissed by the chair of the planning committee.
Earlier today Trump tweeted a short tribute to Connery, which mentioned how the Scots actor had stepped in when Trump was “having a very hard time getting approvals” for a new development.
According to Trump, Connery said: “Let him build the damn thing.”
This intervention, the current US president said, meant “years of future turmoil was avoided”.
While Trump did not mention which Scottish development he was referring to, the overriding assumption in the media is that he meant his Aberdeenshire course.
READ MORE: 'Sean Connery stepped in to help me with Scots development', Donald Trump claims
In 2007, when the US mogul was lobbying for planning permission to build the “world's best golf course” on Scottish soil, the plans were initially rejected.
After the planning committee of local councillors rejected the plans, they were called in by the Scottish Government and ultimately passed.
In 2008, The Express reported that Connery was “delighted with the reversal”.
The paper then quoted Connery as saying: "During tough economic times, this is a major vote of confidence in Scotland's tourist industry and our ability to rise to the challenge.
"I look forward to seeing a new gem in the north-east that is good for Aberdeenshire and good for Scotland.
"It's exactly this kind of swift decision making and focus on boosting the economy and local job opportunities which shows that Scotland is an excellent place to do business."
However, Martin Ford, the Aberdeenshire councillor who was chair of the planning committee that initially refused Trump’s application, has now told the Guardian that anything Connery may have said was not a "material consideration".
READ MORE: 'No time for silly claims': Alex Salmond slams Trump's Sean Connery story
Ford said: “Mr Connery was not involved in the due process that led to the granting of planning permission for a golf resort at Menie.
“He did not submit a letter of representation to the council, appear at the planning hearing, or at the public local inquiry.
“Opinions offered in press articles are not material considerations in decisions on planning applications.”
Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie has said the Scottish Government needs to clarify whether Connery had an influence on its decision to call in and pass the application.
Harvie said: “Trump’s lies and delusions are often so bizarre that I wouldn’t believe him if he said that rain was wet.
"However if there is any possibility of truth to this claim then John Swinney, who was central to the decision to overturn the Scottish planning system to help Trump, needs to clarify the situation immediately.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel