Swinney shared 'concern' over golf course vandalism in meeting with Trump's son

The First Minister expressed “concern” over the vandalism of Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort during a 50-minute meeting with the US President’s son earlier this year, documents have revealed.

Official meeting notes from John Swinney’s principal private secretary have revealed new details from his Bute House meeting with Eric Trump on March 13.

The First Minister is said to have “noted with concern the recent incident at the Trump Turnberry property, condemning the damage caused by vandalism, and offered reassurance that the relevant authorities would continue to take the incident seriously”.

Just days before Eric Trump, the senior vice president of the Trump Organisation, visited Bute House in March, one of his father’s properties on the Turnberry resort was vandalised with red paint while the greens were dug up and marker flags pulled down.

The words “Gaza is not for sale” were also sprayed across one of the course’s greens.

Police have since made several arrests in connection with the incident.

At the time, it was assumed that Eric was visiting Scotland to visit the vandalised golf resort in South Ayrshire, he later said his meeting with Swinney was “very warm and friendly”.

The official meeting notes revealed on Tuesday that Eric “restated his family’s commitment to and passion for Scotland”.

“He stressed that this commitment was long-term,” the report said.

“[Eric] narrated the journey he had been on since purchasing the Turnberry property and redeveloping it, and set out plans for the launch of the second course at Trump Aberdeen links later this year.”

Following the meeting, a Scottish Government spokesperson said the pair had discussed Trump International’s contribution to Scotland’s economy.

The official report has revealed that Swinney began the meeting by welcoming Trump to Scotland, “recognising the significant ongoing investment by Trump Organisation in Scotland’s economy, particularly our tourism and leisure sectors, and welcoming the opportunity to discuss future investment plans.”

“[The First Minister] stressed the important role that inward investment played in transforming the Scottish economy, and [his] commitment to an open dialogue with all major investors,” the report said.

Details of the meeting have emerged as the UK prepares to welcome US President Donald Trump back for an unprecedented second UK state visit in the Autumn.