THE Scotland Office has been urged to “come clean” over reports David Mundell was lobbied by Donald Trump’s ambassador in a bid to bring The Open golf tournament to Turnberry.
According to the New York Times, Woody Johnson was asked by the president to find a way of getting the major contest to his Ayr course.
According to the paper’s sources, the request left many of the diplomats at the American embassy uncomfortable. Despite that, the ambassador is said to have raised it with the then secretary of state for Scotland.
In a statement, a UK Government spokesperson said that Mundell and Johnson had met in early 2018 and discussed “a number of issues … reflecting the close cultural and economic ties between Scotland and the USA”.
The spokesperson added: “Mr Johnson made no request of Mr Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event.”
Green MSP Patrick Harvie said there were still questions to be answered.
“We already know that Trump-owned Turnberry benefits from US military use of Prestwick, and now the US media suggests Trump has been sending a US ambassador out touting for businesses too,” he said.
“The Scotland Office must come clean about their discussions on this, especially when the toxic Trump Organisation is seeking further developments in Scotland.
“We cannot be sure how Trump’s developments are being financed, which is why I have called for the Scottish and UK governments to seek an unexplained wealth order on his businesses in Scotland. Donald Trump’s developments have been irresponsible, environmentally damaging and failed to live up to promises around jobs and homes.
“They must not be given handouts or any other help from the Scotland Office.”
According to the New York Times, the ambassador’s deputy, Lewis A Lukens, advised him not to do it, warning that it would be an unethical use of the presidency for private gain.
He then emailed officials at the US State Department to tell them what had happened.
The White House declined to comment on the paper’s story.
It’s not the first time Turnberry has been in the news for the wrong reasons. Last year the Pentagon admitted it had spent at least $184,000 sending troops to the resort while they were on overnight layovers at the nearby Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
That’s despite there being many hotels that are closer and cheaper.
Turnberry hasn’t hosted the Open since 2009. The R&A, which organises the contest, has already named the venues for the next four years.
A committee selects the site from a pool of 10 courses in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland based on factors like the readiness of the course and public infrastructure.
A spokesperson for the R&A said: “We haven’t received any approaches from the British Government or the Scottish Government about this.”
Earlier this month it was revealed the Trump Organisation was considering a massive expansion of the resort in Ayrshire.
The family firm has reportedly commissioned a master plan to develop hundreds of homes, retail and leisure facilities on coastal farmland, though they have yet to formally submit a planning application.
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