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Trump rejection councillor sacked Trump rejection councillor sacked
(30 minutes later)
The councillor whose casting vote saw Donald Trump's plans for a £1bn golf resort rejected has been sacked as the committee's chairman.The councillor whose casting vote saw Donald Trump's plans for a £1bn golf resort rejected has been sacked as the committee's chairman.
Aberdeenshire councillors voted 26 to 10 to unseat Councillor Martin Ford as chairman of the infrastructure services committee at an emergency meeting.Aberdeenshire councillors voted 26 to 10 to unseat Councillor Martin Ford as chairman of the infrastructure services committee at an emergency meeting.
Mr Ford said that the move sent out a terrible message. He said it sent out the "wrong message" on the planning system's integrity.
Councillors gave overwhelming support to the Trump plans, though the decision now rests with the Scottish Government.Councillors gave overwhelming support to the Trump plans, though the decision now rests with the Scottish Government.
It has also been decided that future planning applications of regional or national significance will go to the full council for a final decision.It has also been decided that future planning applications of regional or national significance will go to the full council for a final decision.
The controversial planning application was "called in" by the Scottish Government after being rejected by the council committee.The controversial planning application was "called in" by the Scottish Government after being rejected by the council committee.
'Clear signal''Clear signal'
Donald Trump's spokesman had warned failure by Aberdeenshire Council to endorse £1bn golf resort plans on Wednesday would put the entire project in jeopardy.Donald Trump's spokesman had warned failure by Aberdeenshire Council to endorse £1bn golf resort plans on Wednesday would put the entire project in jeopardy.
George Sorial told BBC Scotland that Mr Trump had hoped for a "clear signal" that the development was wanted.George Sorial told BBC Scotland that Mr Trump had hoped for a "clear signal" that the development was wanted.
Mr Sorial said the show of support was a "very big step in the right direction" and reflected the views of the people of Aberdeenshire.
Mr Trump had the option of appealing against the decisionMr Trump had the option of appealing against the decision
He denied there was any pressure from the Trump Organisation and he said the pressure had come from the people of Aberdeenshire themselves.
Mr Ford reacted afterwards: "I am naturally disappointed it's ended up like this.
"It sends out absolutely the wrong message about the integrity of the planning system."
The full meeting did not have the power to reconsider or overturn the controversial decision to refuse US tycoon Mr Trump's application to build a golf course and luxury homes at the Menie Estate near Balmedie.The full meeting did not have the power to reconsider or overturn the controversial decision to refuse US tycoon Mr Trump's application to build a golf course and luxury homes at the Menie Estate near Balmedie.
Mr Ford's casting ballot - after a tied area committee vote - led to an angry reaction from many business and tourism leaders.Mr Ford's casting ballot - after a tied area committee vote - led to an angry reaction from many business and tourism leaders.
He told BBC Scotland last week that he had no intention of stepping down as chairman of the committee.He told BBC Scotland last week that he had no intention of stepping down as chairman of the committee.
Mr Trump's plans had been criticised by some environmental groups and local campaigners.Mr Trump's plans had been criticised by some environmental groups and local campaigners.
The Scottish Government has called in the golf resort application, which it said is of national significance and should therefore not be decided by a local council.The Scottish Government has called in the golf resort application, which it said is of national significance and should therefore not be decided by a local council.