SNP dismisses Donald Trump threat over Menie wind turbines

Mr Trump said he would be willing to give evidence to a Holyrood committee

The SNP has dismissed claims by Donald Trump that he could win a "very large lawsuit" over plans to build wind turbines near his Scottish golf resort.

The US tycoon told BBC Scotland he would be happy to air his grievances at Holyrood over proposals for 11 turbines off the coast of the Menie estate.

But the SNP's Stuart Hosie said he would "probably doubt" legal action would have any traction.

A decision on the offshore application is expected later this year.

Speaking from New York, Mr Trump told the BBC's Sunday Politics Scotland programme he would be "honoured" to give evidence to the Scottish Parliament's energy committee over the issue if he was invited.

He added: "I have been told by our attorneys, our lawyers, that we can bring a very large lawsuit and probably win the lawsuit based on the harm that these horrible things will do to Scotland.

"I've been told we have a very good lawsuit, and we can delay it for years to come.

"I feel betrayed. I had a very good relationship with Alex Salmond, and I like Alex Salmond, but I can't let a thing like this happen."

Mr Trump has previously called the turbines "ugly monstrosities" and "horrendous machines", and has decided to bankroll an anti-wind farm campaign "to save Scotland".

But Mr Hosie, the SNP's deputy Westminster leader, told the same programme he doubted any legal challenge by Mr Trump would be successful.

He added: "There is no decision made on the deployment of the facility on the Menie estate. That decision will be taken in due course and I'm sure it will be taken absolutely properly.

"I think the key thing to remember here is that this facility is a test facility. It's 11 turbines, and I think it's about three and a half kilometres off the coast. It's not a full-scale wind turbine array. It will be a speck in the ocean somewhere miles away."

Mr Hosie called Mr Trump "a very colourful character", adding: "If Donald Trump isn't happy I'm sure he will do whatever he feels is necessary, but so long as the planning process here is done absolutely scrupulously, as it will be, I'm not sure where Mr Trump will go with it."