Donald Trump threatens to pull £700m Scots investment

Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw £700m ($1bn) of planned investment in Scotland if he is banned from entering the UK. The US presidential hopeful plans to pour £200m into the Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire, and another £500m in Trump International Golf Links outside Aberdeen. However, the billionaire tycoon said the money would be withheld if he is outlawed from Britain. It follows an online petition, signed by more than 570,000 people, calling for the businessman to be excluded from the UK over his comments on Muslims.

Westminster would create a dangerous precedent and send a terrible message to the world that the United Kingdom opposes free speech and has no interest in attracting inward investment.

The Trump Organisation

The petition is to be debated by MPs later this month after receiving more than five times the amount needed to qualify for a debate in the Commons. His company, The Trump Organisation, said the UK would set a “dangerous precedent” if it restricted his travel and would alienate millions of US citizens. "Over the coming years, we intend to further develop Trump Turnberry and invest millions more at the site, creating sustained economic growth for South Ayrshire and Scotland,“ it said. "Additionally, we have plans to invest £500m towards further development at the 1,400-acre Trump International Golf Links. Any action to restrict travel would force The Trump Organisation to immediately end these and all future investments we are currently contemplating in the United Kingdom.”