Donald Trump has faced renewed calls for his businesses in Scotland to be investigated following his conviction at a civil court in New York.
The Greens have urged John Swinney to instruct the Scottish Government to apply for an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) which allows for a probe into “politically exposed persons” suspected of involvement in serious crime.
The party has previously been unsuccessful in efforts to have Trump’s Scottish golf courses – in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire – be investigated.
MSP Ross Greer said there was a need for accountability following the former US president’s conviction in New York.
A US judge ruled in February that Trump, his company and key executives deceived bankers and insurers by producing financial statements that hugely overstated his fortune.
Trump was ordered to pay 355 million dollars (£279.9 million) in penalties, with interest charges pushing the sum up even further.
The Republican party presidential nominee is appealing the ruling.
Greer said: “Donald Trump has been convicted on dozens of counts of fraud in America. The judge in his New York trial specifically ruled that he had submitted a “false valuation” of his golf course here in Scotland.
“It’s a core principle of any legal system that everyone be treated equally, regardless of how rich or powerful they are. Anyone who may have broken the law must be held to account.
“So it is more than odd that, even after all his convictions in New York, including the clear links to Scotland, not a word has been said about investigations into Trump here. In the intervening period he’s even announced the opening of another Scottish golf course.
“The Scottish Greens have urged the Scottish Government for years to apply for an Unexplained Wealth Order, allowing them to fully investigate Trump’s business activities in Scotland. If they want to maintain public confidence in our justice system, we must see action on the seriously concerning evidence which has emerged.”
In his letter to the First Minister, Greer added: “For years the Scottish Government has said that it can neither confirm nor deny whether Trump is under investigation.
“You committed to exploring the issue in further detail and writing to me with an update. I appreciate the constraints on what can be shared, but I have not received any correspondence from your office.
“Faith in our justice system is at risk by the appearance of inaction in the face of potentially serious criminal activity by a rich and powerful individual. For that reason, and given the recent announcement that Mr Trump is opening another golf course in Scotland, I would welcome an update from you on this issue as soon as possible.”
The Trump Organisation has previously accused the Greens of pursuing “personal agendas”.
After MSPs voted in 2021 against an investigation into the firm, executive vice-president Eric Trump said: “At a critical time when politicians should be focused on saving lives and reopening businesses in Scotland, they are focused on advancing their personal agendas.
“The Trump Organisation has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into the Scottish economy, rescued Turnberry, and rebuilt it into one of the finest resorts anywhere in the world.”
The Record asked the Scottish Government for comment.
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