This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7216461.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
CBI chief criticises Trump probe CBI chief criticises Trump probe
(about 5 hours later)
The director of CBI Scotland has questioned the conduct of the Holyrood inquiry into Donald Trump's plans for a golf resort in Aberdeenshire.The director of CBI Scotland has questioned the conduct of the Holyrood inquiry into Donald Trump's plans for a golf resort in Aberdeenshire.
Iain McMillan told BBC Scotland that the inquiry risked sending a message to the world that the country had a "troublesome" attitude to business. Iain McMillan told BBC Scotland it risked sending a message to the world that the country had a "troublesome" attitude to business.
His comments came as it emerged the Trump Organisation is now willing to appear before the committee of MSPs. The head of the committee holding the probe denied it was a "fishing trip".
The third hearing into the affair is due to be held on Wednesday. Meanwhile the Trump Organisation has now agreed to appear before the inquiry, despite earlier refusing.
Mr McMillan said an investigation would be justified if there was evidence or informed suspicion of wrongdoing, but that so far neither had been turned up.Mr McMillan said an investigation would be justified if there was evidence or informed suspicion of wrongdoing, but that so far neither had been turned up.
Strong message Let's do what's best for Scotland and, for heaven's sake, stop being our own worst enemy Iain McMillanCBI Scotland
He asked why the inquiry by the local government and communities committee went ahead despite Scotland's top civil servant, Sir John Elvidge, judging that nothing improper had taken place. He asked why the inquiry, by the parliament's by the local government committee, went ahead despite Scotland's top civil servant, Sir John Elvidge, judging that nothing improper had taken place.
And he warned that if the inquiry continued simply as a "fishing expedition", it would send a strong message to the world that Scotland was not open for business.And he warned that if the inquiry continued simply as a "fishing expedition", it would send a strong message to the world that Scotland was not open for business.
"Act on evidence, act on reasonable suspicion - but where there is none, close the investigation down and let this development application run its course," he said."Act on evidence, act on reasonable suspicion - but where there is none, close the investigation down and let this development application run its course," he said.
"That's what's best for Scotland - let's do what's best for Scotland, and for heaven's sake stop being our own worst enemy." "That's what's best for Scotland - let's do what's best for Scotland and, for heaven's sake, stop being our own worst enemy."
The committee inquiry was launched after the Scottish Government called in the planning application to build a £1bn golf resort, featuring two courses, a hotel and housing, on the Menie Estate.
Donald Trump's team has now agreed to attend the hearingDonald Trump's team has now agreed to attend the hearing
The committee's inquiry is taking place after the Scottish Government called in the planning application to build a £1bn golf resort, featuring two courses, a hotel and housing, on the Menie Estate in the north east of Scotland. The application was narrowly rejected by Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee in November.
Planning consent had been refused at a meeting of Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee in November. Labour MSP Duncan McNeil, convener of the local government committee, said it was right to investigate the affair.
MSPs on the committee have already questioned both First Minister Alex Salmond and Finance Secretary John Swinney twice on the government's involvement in the affair. "All parties on the committee are acting on behalf of the parliament to scrutinise the actions of government - to examine the process, not the merits, of the planning application," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland.
They have also taken evidence from the government's chief planner, Jim Mackinnon, and Alan Campbell, the chief executive of Aberdeenshire Council. He insisted: "It is not a fishing trip."
Change of heart The committee has already questioned First Minister Alex Salmond twice on the government's involvement in the affair and taken evidence from the government's chief planner, Jim Mackinnon, and Alan Campbell, the chief executive of Aberdeenshire Council.
Representatives of the Trump Organisation had previously turned down an invitation to appear before MSPs, claiming they had nothing to add to their investigation. Despite their earlier refusal, Representatives of the Trump Organisation said they would be honoured to appear before MSPs, but pointed out they thought it was unnecessary.
But Duncan McNeil MSP, the convener of the local government and communities committee, said the Trump team had now had a change of heart.
Mr McNeil said George Sorial, Mr Trump's right-hand man, had been in touch with the committee to say: "While we do not think it is necessary to appear before the local government and communities committee, we would be honoured to do so."
Mr McNeil said he hoped they would now appear before MSPs "sooner rather than later".
He added: "I am pleased they have relented and agreed to come along to the committee."