SWINNEY TOLD TO PUT SCOTS FIRST

Clear message to First Minister on eve of Trump's historic visit

- By Richard Elias

JOHN SWINNEY has been warned to put the interests of Scotland as a whole first when he meets Donald Trump.

The US President is midway through a five-day visit here and the First Minister has been urged not to miss a golden opportunity to improve relations with the White House.

Mr Trump is expected to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Aberdeen tomorrow along with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.

It is not clear where and when talks with Mr Swinney will take place. But last night the Scottish Conservatives stressed the need for the First Minister to speak on behalf of everyone in Scotland, not just SNP supporters.

The party's secretary for business, economy, tourism and culture, Murdo Fraser, said: "John Swinney seems, belatedly, to have realised the importance of meeting President Trump, rather than making childish criticisms to pander to the Nats' rank and file.

"American firms are major investors and employers in Scotland and the USA is a huge market for Scottish products notably in the whisky and food sectors, where tariffs would be immensely damaging. Tourism is also crucial to our economy.

He added: “The First Minister has a golden opportunity to encourage the President, who has strong family links and a clear affection for Scotland, that the interests of both countries are best served by open trade and cooperation.

“He should, for once, put Scotland’s interests above the petty carping of SNP activists and act accordingly.”

President Trump spent yesterday morning playing a round of golf at his Trump Turnberry resort in Ayrshire, along with one of his sons, Eric.

He landed at Prestwick Airport about 25 miles north shortly after 8.30pm on Friday on board Air Force One.

Holding an impromptu media conference on the runway, Mr Trump railed against mass immigration into Europe and also slammed the SNP’s obsession with windfarms.