US presidential candidate Donald Trump has responded after First Minister John Swinney endorsed his Democratic rival Kamala Harris, calling the move "appalling".

Comments made by the Republican nominee earlier this month about Scottish independence resurfaced this week with Mr Trump, whose mother was from the Hebrides and who owns golf courses in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire telling the comedian Andrew Schulz he believed the UK "should always stay together".

Mr Swinney then urged Americans to vote for his rival, Ms Harris, in Tuesday's presidential election.


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Speaking to journalists after First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, the SNP leader said: “People in the United States of America should vote for Kamala Harris and I have not come to that conclusion only because Donald Trump is opposed to Scottish independence.”

That has brought a rebuke from Mr Trump, or rather his company, which owns golf courses in both Turnberry in South Ayrshire and Balmedie in Aberdeenshire.

Sarah Malone, executive vice president, Trump International, Scotland, said: “The Trump family has shown unwavering commitment to Scotland - pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the Scottish economy - and driving many tens of thousands of international visitors to Scotland every year.

(Image: Jane Barlow)

"Around six hundred people – the majority of whom are Scottish – are employed directly by Trump businesses and many more local and national businesses thrive on supplying services to our resorts. 

"It is appalling to see the First Minister, who talks of the need to encourage economic growth, insult this commitment and all the people involved in delivering world-class services here in Scotland."

Mr Trump's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in a Gaelic-speaking household, before moving to the United States and marrying Fred Trump.

A legal patent for a Trump family crest was approved after The Court of the Lord Lyon invoked a law dating from 1672 warning the businessman against using a banner of his own design at his Aberdeenshire course in 2008.