Scottish Greens call for 'McMafia order' on Donald Trump's golf course

Co-leader Patrick Harvie asked Nicola Sturgeon to seek an unexplained wealth order (UWO) from the US President, which would require him to disclose where his money comes from

The Scottish Greens have called for the Scottish Government to investigate Donald Trump’s purchase of the Turnberry golf course.

Co-leader Patrick Harvie asked Nicola Sturgeon to seek an unexplained wealth order (UWO) from the US President, which would require him to disclose where his money comes from.

Harvie raised the issue at FMQs after a campaigning group had written to the First Minister urging her to take action, something Sturgeon said she was “unaware of”.

Sturgeon said that she was “no defender” of Trump but said any allegations of criminality are a matter for Police Scotland and the Crown Office.

A spokesperson for the First Minister later said that the correspondence raised by Harvie has since been handed to the Lord Advocate’s office.

UWOs are a power that allows UK courts to investigate the finances of someone from outside the European Economic Area who is suspected of financial corruption.

Harvie’s question was spurred by the release of a report from campaigning group AVAAZ called “Donald Trump’s $60m question: the case for seeking an unexplained wealth order for the purchase of Turnberry golf course”.

Harvie said: “There are big questions over Donald Trump’s business dealings in Scotland, including the purchase of the Turnberry golf resort during a global financial crisis. Scottish Ministers can apply via the Court of Session for an Unexplained Wealth Order – a tool designed precisely for situations such as this one.

“Scotland cannot be a country where anyone with the money can buy whatever land and property they want, no questions asked. That will take leadership from the Scottish Government.”