Trump plans branded 'morally unacceptable'

AN MSP has accused the Trump Organisation of "morally unacceptable" behaviour in the growing row over the possible use of compulsory purchase orders to force families from their homes for a £1 billion golf resort.

American tycoon Donald Trump has already come under fire from local protestors for planning a modern day "Highland Clearance" of land around the Menie Estate development site, following the refusal of five locals to sell their properties.

The Trump Organisation has conceded it may become necessary to seek the support of Aberdeenshire Council's compulsory purchase powers to secure the additional 100 acres of land it claims is vital to the golf development.

Until now, opposition to the use of CPOs has come from protest groups and some Aberdeenshire councillors. But Mike Rumbles, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Kincardine and West Aberdeenshire, has now weighed in to the controversy.

On the possibility of families being forced from their homes, Mr Rumbles states in his column in a weekly newspaper: "While this is all procedurally correct, this behaviour by the Trump Organisation is morally unacceptable. Compulsory purchase powers were never designed to aid commercial companies in their pursuit of business advantage."

Full Story: The Scotsman