MSPs vote on probe into where Trump got money for Scottish golf courses
The Scottish Greens want to see the Trump Organisation investigated.
MSPs are going to vote on a motion calling for Donald Trump's business interests, including the Turnberry resort and golf club in Ayrshire, and another in Aberdeenshire, to be investigated.
The Scottish Green party wants to see the Trump Organisation investigated via an unexplained wealth order, though the Scottish Government says only the Lord Advocate can decide if such an order can be made.
They will renew calls for an investigation into the purchase of estates at Turnberry and Menie during their opposition debate on Wednesday.
They say a legal opinion from Aidan O'Neill QC states that ministers, rather than the chief legal officer, are responsible for unexplained wealth orders.
Co-leader Patrick Harvie has previously raised the issue at Holyrood.
Mr Harvie said: "The Scottish Government has tried to avoid the question of investigating Donald Trump's wealth for far too long.
"There are serious concerns about how Trump financed the cash purchases of his Scottish golf courses, but no investigation has ever taken place.
"New legal advice shows that it is for the First Minister and her government to seek an unexplained wealth order.
"Nicola Sturgeon's claims that it has nothing to do with her have been shown to be untrue.''
He added: "It's long past time the Scottish Government demonstrated that Scotland cannot be a country where anyone with the money can buy whatever land and property they want, no questions asked. That's why I'm bringing this vote to the Scottish Parliament.
"The Scottish Government must seek an unexplained wealth order to shine a light on Trump's shadowy dealings.''
Last night, the former president's son Eric branded Mr Harvie "a national embarrassment'' after suggesting the organisation's purchases were made using unlawfully obtained money.
In a statement, he said, "As a company, The Trump Organization has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into the Scottish economy, rescued Turnberry, a Scottish national treasure on the brink of collapse and rebuilt it into one of the finest resorts anywhere in the world. In both Aberdeen and Turnberry, the Trump Organization has created thousands of jobs and has made an overwhelming contribution to the leisure and tourism industry.
"Patrick Harvie is nothing more than a national embarrassment with his pathetic antics that only serve himself and his political agenda. If Harvie and the rest of the Scottish Government continue to treat overseas investors like this, it will deter future investors from conducting business in Scotland, ultimately crushing their economy, tourism and hospitality industries."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Any decision on whether to apply to the Court of Session for an unexplained wealth order is made on behalf of Scottish Ministers by the Civil Recovery Unit (CRU) which reports to the Lord Advocate.
"This decision-making process is an operational matter for the CRU.
"It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on this.
"As a matter of course, given the sensitive nature of the work undertaken by the CRU, it is standard convention neither to confirm nor deny the existence of any ongoing investigation.''
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