South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Transport Spokesperson Colin Smyth has urged the UK and Scottish Government’s to “nip in the bud” any attempts by Donald Trump to fly into Prestwick later this month amid rumours that he plans to visit his golf resort at Trump Turnberry to avoid attending the inauguration of his successor for US President, Joe Biden.

Colin Smyth said, “People in Ayrshire would be pretty appalled if Trump flew into Prestwick in the middle of a pandemic. The number of people involved in managing such a trip would be enormous and bringing so many together at a time Ayrshire’s hospitals are frankly bursting with Covid cases would be the height of irresponsibility. Our police and others frankly have enough to do without the added burden of coping with Donald Trump’s election sulk”.

“It’s fine for the First Minister to say playing golf won’t be classed as a valid essential reason for Trump  to travel under our current regulations but we know he could get round that easily given at the very least his business interests, not to mention the fact he’s still the President. We need a categoric guarantee from both the UK and Scottish Governments that if there is even the slightest shred of truth in these rumours they will nip this in the bud now and say any such trip, whatever the excuse, will not be allowed. No ifs , no buts”.