JUSTICE Secretary Michael Matheson has come under fire after it emerged he is to speak at the Scottish Police Federation conference at Trump Turnberry, owned by the United States President.
The Scottish Government was last night urged to boycott the event and "take a stand against the racist and vile" remarks from Trump.
Nicola Sturgeon previously said many of his comments during last year's Presidential campaign had been "deeply abhorrent".
However her Justice Secretary is confirmed as a speaker on Wednesday morning at the event staged by the SPF, the police officers' professional body, at Trump's Ayrshire luxury golf and hotel resort.
Sturgeon also addressed the SPF event in 2015, but is not attending this year's.
However, the Government is facing calls not to attend the annual event following Trump’s travel ban on Muslims and accusations of racism against him.
Sturgeon stripped Trump of his role as a business ambassador for the Scottish government in the wake of his call for Muslims not to be allowed into the US.
The SPF has a deal with the resort that was agreed before Trump became the owner.
However, it was urged to "reflect" on allowing police officer membership contributions towards Trump's resort in the future.
Scottish Greens justice spokesperson John Finnie suggested ministers should boycott the event.
Finnie, a former police officer, said: “I’m aware the Federation held its conference at Trump Turnberry in 2015 and may have contractual obligations to the venue.
"However, much has happened in the intervening two years which should have prompted the SPF to reflect on the wisdom of putting members’ funds in Trump’s coffers.
"There are several prestigious venues across Ayrshire that could be chosen to host the event instead of Trump’s golf course.
He added: "We all have a duty to call out the racist and vile comments of the US President who speaks for himself, not the American people."
The Highlands and Islands MSP went on to state his support for protests against Trump during the US President's visit to the UK later this year.
Finnie said: “I’m confident that any Trump visit to Scotland will be met by the biggest public protest seen in years and it’s essential that the police, who in Scotland and across the UK have a mixed record on protests, do nothing to limit or suppress this important expression of legitimate opposition.”
Trump’s state visit to the UK is to be delayed until October and will take place mostly in Scotland, according to reports.
Trump bought the Ayrshire resort for an undisclosed fee in 2014.
A Scottish Government spokesperson, in response to the call to boycott the conference, said: “Mr Matheson engages with Scotland’s police officers regularly, including accepting the invitation to address the SPF conference and discuss our shared agenda, the draft Policing 2026 strategy and commitment to keeping people safe.
"The location of the conference is a matter for SPF.”
Calum Steele, general secretary of the SPF, said: "The SPF entered into a contractual arrangement before Donald Trump owned it."
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