Former US President Donald Trump has slammed Nicola Sturgeon, saying she has “been very helpful to Scotland”, while on golf trip in Ayrshire.
Talking to STV News amid the ongoing police investigation into the SNP’s finances, he said: “I think it’s too bad, she’s not been very helpful to Scotland and I don’t think she’s been a great person for Scotland and it’s too bad to hear what’s happening with her.
Speaking from his Turnberry resort, he added: “You want people that love their country, this is a very special country, it’s too bad what’s happened to her.”
His comments follow the arrest and later release of Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, who, along with the SNP, is being investigated for alleged fraud.
Trump’s himself recently became the first former US president to face criminal charges, and has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records to hide damaging information ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
He then told the Scottish Sun: “Nicola Sturgeon has not been very nice to me.
“She never liked what we did for Scotland. My mother was Scottish. The people of Scotland are very proud of what I did for Scotland.
“I think she (Sturgeon) was anti-business. She is a negative force.”
Mr Trump said Ms Sturgeon “has been a very successful politician” but her resignation as first minister was a “good change for Scotland”.
He added: “She has hurt Scotland. She has hurt education and tourism. She should have embraced us.”
He said he believes “you should embrace people like my friend Sean Connery”, and claimed the late James Bond star was “very proud of me and what I did for Scotland”.
Meanwhile, a source close to the former first minister said: “If Donald Trump wants to see a politician who has had a negative impact on a country then he should maybe reach for a mirror.
“Whilst Nicola is flattered that the former President remains upset that she did not fall for his charms, she has moved on.”
