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Ministers 'dithering' over Trump | Ministers 'dithering' over Trump |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Former Tory leader David McLetchie has accused the Scottish Government of dithering over the controversial Trump golf development in Aberdeenshire. | Former Tory leader David McLetchie has accused the Scottish Government of dithering over the controversial Trump golf development in Aberdeenshire. |
The MSP, who sits on the Holyrood inquiry into the affair, blamed ministers for an "excessive delay". | |
The SNP accused Mr McLetchie of "astonishing hypocrisy", and insisted ministers had done their jobs. | |
Trump representatives had earlier accused the inquiry of delaying progress on the planning application. | Trump representatives had earlier accused the inquiry of delaying progress on the planning application. |
MSPs on the Scottish Parliament's local government committee are understood to be finalising their report following the inquiry, with publication expected next week. | |
'Public backlash' | |
The probe was launched after ministers decided to have the final say on the application to build a £1bn golf resort, featuring two courses, a hotel and housing, on the Menie Estate. | |
That move came after the plans were narrowly rejected by Aberdeenshire Council. | |
Mr McLetchie, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, has written to Finance Secretary John Swinney on the matter and pointed out that it is 85 days since the application was called in. | |
He said he wanted to remind him of the supposed urgency of the call-in and the 30-day deadline laid down by the Trump Organisation back in December. | He said he wanted to remind him of the supposed urgency of the call-in and the 30-day deadline laid down by the Trump Organisation back in December. |
A government spokesman said it was currently considering how the application should be examined and added that a decision would be made shortly. | A government spokesman said it was currently considering how the application should be examined and added that a decision would be made shortly. |
Aberdeen North SNP MSP Brian Adam said Mr McLetchie was party to an inquiry that had shown ministers and government officials did their jobs properly. | |
"The inquiry was announced in December - soaking up a vast amount of time and effort - and now Mr McLetchie is complaining about the timescale of the process," he added. | |
"He is clearly trying to cover up his own embarrassment at embarking on a failed fishing expedition, and is facing a public backlash for these antics." |
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