Harvie attacks Swinney for congratulating Trump on US election win

Patrick Harvie has condemned First Minister John Swinney’s decision to congratulate Donald Trump on winning the US presidential election.

The co-leader of the Scottish Greens described the president-elect as a “misogynist, a climate denier, a fraudster, a conspiracy monger, a racist and a far-right politician”.

Harvie said Scotland must stand in solidarity with the communities he said are threatened by the incoming Trump administration in America.

Speaking during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood on Thursday, Harvie said: “Yesterday the First Minister offered his congratulations to the convicted felon Donald Trump on his re-election.

“Writing officially, on behalf of the Scottish Government, he wrote that he is sure Scotland’s cultural and social ties with the US will flourish during the presidency of a misogynist, a climate denier, a fraudster, a conspiracy monger, a racist and a far-right politician who tried to overturn an election result both by covert threats and by inciting violence.

“Words fail me.

“What social and cultural ties does the First Minister really think will benefit from a relationship with such a man?

“What has the First Minister done so far to offer empathy and solidarity to those marginalised and vulnerable people most directly threatened by a second Trump term?”

Swinney sent a letter to Trump on Wednesday, and another to vice-president-elect JD Vance, congratulating them on their victory.

He said in his letter: “The United States of America is Scotland’s most important market and source of inward investment, but it is much more than that.

“Many people of Scottish descent, including yourself, have worked hard to shape the United States into a global power.

“We greatly appreciate the strong and lasting social, cultural and economic ties we have with the United States and are sure that these will continue to flourish during your presidency. I wish you every success in your new role.”

Responding to Harvie, the First Minister defended his decision, saying he has a “duty” to represent the people of Scotland.

“I think there are deep cultural, social and economic ties with Scotland and the USA and I think they are important.

“They’re important for employment in our economy, they’re important for the cultural expression of our country and for the way in which we are able to pursue those objectives.”

The SNP leader – who endorsed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris – said while there are “real differences” between himself and Trump, he “can’t deny the existence of links between Scotland and the US.”

Swinney added: “Regardless of the presidential choice in the United States, I want to maintain good relationships between Scotland and the US.

“What I would say to Mr Harvie, and I think he knows me well enough to know, is that the concerns of people who are marginalised in our society, who feel under threat, are questions and concerns I wrestle with every day as First Minister.

“Because I stood here and I pledged to be the First Minister of all of Scotland, and that’s entirely what I intend to do.”

The Greens co-leader accused Swinney of “extraordinary complacency at a time of incredible danger for the world”.

Harvie said Trump had “peddled climate conspiracy theories for many years” and that he is a danger to climate policy across the world.

The First Minister said: “No change of government in the US is going to change this Government’s attitude about the imperative of addressing the climate emergency.”