First Minister defends support for Kamala Harris after Trump business brands comments as 'insult'

The First Minister has defended his support for US Presidential Election candidate Kamala Harris after Trump's team branded it as an 'insult'.

John Swinney voiced his support for the Democrat nominee after First Minister's Questions on Thursday.

Mr Swinney said: "People in the United States of America should vote for Kamala Harris and I have not come to that conclusion only because Donald Trump is opposed to Scottish independence."

The comment referenced a recent clip of the Republican nominee from a podcast in which he reaffirmed his position in the union.

Trump International Scotland responded to his remarks branding them an "insult" to the "massive investment in Scotland made by the Trump family."

Mr Trump currently has a course at Balmedie in Aberdeenshire with another opening in summer next year.

He also has a golf course at Turnberry in Ayrshire.

Yesterday, Sarah Malone, executive vice president at Trump International, Scotland, responded to Mr Swinney's comments: “The Trump family has shown unwavering commitment to Scotland - pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the Scottish economy - and driving many tens of thousands of international visitors to Scotland every year.

"Around six hundred people – the majority of whom are Scottish – are employed directly by Trump businesses and many more local and national businesses thrive on supplying services to our resorts.

"It is appalling to see the First Minister, who talks of the need to encourage economic growth, insult this commitment and all the people involved in delivering world-class services here in Scotland."

Today, Mr Swinney defended his endorsement of Harris stating: "I was asked a simple question yesterday 'did I want Donald Trump or Kamala Harris' and I'd prefer to have Kamala Harris as the President of the United States and that's my personal view."

US Election

Americans will vote on November 5 to elect the country's 47th president.

Polls suggest the fight between Mr Trump and Ms Harris, the current vice-president, is on a knife edge.

Hear all the latest news from the North East of Scotland on Northsound 1. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.