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Official's Trump call 'irregular' Official's Trump call 'irregular'
(about 1 hour later)
The boss of the council which rejected Donald Trump's golf resort plan said he later received an "irregular" call from the government's chief planner.The boss of the council which rejected Donald Trump's golf resort plan said he later received an "irregular" call from the government's chief planner.
Aberdeenshire Council chief executive Alan Campbell told MSPs of his concern about the call, made on the day the proposals were called in by ministers.Aberdeenshire Council chief executive Alan Campbell told MSPs of his concern about the call, made on the day the proposals were called in by ministers.
But the chief planner, Jim Mackinnon, strongly disagreed with the claim.But the chief planner, Jim Mackinnon, strongly disagreed with the claim.
Holyrood's Local Government Committee is investigating the Scottish Government's handling of the plans. Holyrood's local government committee is investigating the Scottish Government's handling of the plans.
First Minister Alex Salmond will also be questioned by the committee.First Minister Alex Salmond will also be questioned by the committee.
I was under no pressure, far less an instruction from any minister, to act in a specific way Jim MackinnonChief planning officerI was under no pressure, far less an instruction from any minister, to act in a specific way Jim MackinnonChief planning officer
Ministers decided to have the final say on the US Tycoon's £1bn proposals for the Menie Estate after they were narrowly rejected by a council committee. Ministers decided to have the final say on the US tycoon's £1bn proposals for the Menie Estate after they were narrowly rejected by a council committee.
Mr Campbell told MSPs that, in December 2007, hours before the government decided it would have the final say on the plans, he received a phone call from Mr Mackinnon to discuss what the options were. Mr Campbell told MSPs that in December 2007, hours before the government decided it would have the final say on the plans, he received a phone call from Mr Mackinnon to discuss the options.
When the council chief realised that two of Mr Trump's representatives - George Sorial and Neil Hobday - were with the chief planner, he said he was not prepared to have the discussion and asked them to leave, before it continued. When the council chief realised that two of Mr Trump's representatives - George Sorial and Neil Hobday - were with the chief planner, he said he was not prepared to have the discussion and asked them to leave before it continued.
"I would regard it as irregular to have the conversation with them there because I wanted to explore things official to official," Mr Campbell told MSPs."I would regard it as irregular to have the conversation with them there because I wanted to explore things official to official," Mr Campbell told MSPs.
The decision to call in the application was confirmed in subsequent phone calls to Mr Campbell.The decision to call in the application was confirmed in subsequent phone calls to Mr Campbell.
Mr Salmond will answer questions from the committeeMr Salmond will answer questions from the committee
Mr Mackinnon, who insisted his actions were not irregular "in the slightest", also told the committee about a call that he had recieved from Mr Campbell.Mr Mackinnon, who insisted his actions were not irregular "in the slightest", also told the committee about a call that he had recieved from Mr Campbell.
"I've a very, very strong recollection that representatives of the Trump organisation were in his room when he phoned me," Mr Mackinnon added. The chief planner also told MSPs that people behind applications were encouraged to speak to officials, to gain an understanding of the planning process. "I've a very, very strong recollection that representatives of the Trump organisation were in his room when he phoned me," Mr Mackinnon added.
The chief planner also told MSPs that people behind applications were encouraged to speak to officials to gain an understanding of the planning process.
"I was under no pressure, far less an instruction from any minister, to act in a specific way," said Mr Mackinnon."I was under no pressure, far less an instruction from any minister, to act in a specific way," said Mr Mackinnon.
"I applied my long experience and professional judgement to the handling of the case.""I applied my long experience and professional judgement to the handling of the case."
Scots Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen raised serious concerns about issues surrounding the Trump application. Scots Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen has raised serious concerns about issues surrounding the Trump application.
However, Mr Salmond has denied any wrong-doing in the affair, amid concerns about the integrity of the planning process.However, Mr Salmond has denied any wrong-doing in the affair, amid concerns about the integrity of the planning process.
Finance Secretary John Swinney - who will now decide whether Mr Trump's plans get the go-ahead - told the committee there was never any question of the contact between the first minister and the chief planner breaching ministerial guidelines.Finance Secretary John Swinney - who will now decide whether Mr Trump's plans get the go-ahead - told the committee there was never any question of the contact between the first minister and the chief planner breaching ministerial guidelines.