CLAIM:
First Minister John Swinney stayed at Trump International in Aberdeenshire when he met with the US president, with the Scottish Government being invoiced for the cost.
DOORSTEP ANSWER:
Swinney did not stay at Trump International when he travelled up to Aberdeenshire to meet Donald Trump.
Staff at the hotel were asked by the Scottish Government to find alternative accommodation outwith the hotel’s premises, which was provided by a third party.
Neither the First Minister nor any Scottish Government officials stayed at Trump International in Aberdeenshire at any point.
WHY THE CLAIMS?
Earlier this week, multiple news outlets reported that the First Minister, along with other government officials, stayed at Trump’s hotel in Balmedie when they met with the US president in July.
Several outlets claimed that Swinney stayed at the luxury resort with Scottish taxpayers picking up the bill.
It was claimed that the Scottish Government refused to disclose the number of rooms, or the nightly rate, it paid for the group’s stay, at the time after a Freedom of Information Request was submitted.
It was claimed that the total cost, including travel, accommodation and subsistence for Swinney and his officials, came to £730.
In its response to the FOI request, the Scottish Government explained: “Trump International Golf Club Scotland procured hotel rooms for attendees at an event at Trump International Scotland in Aberdeenshire.
“The organisation was reimbursed by the Scottish Government for rooms allocated to the First Minister and Scottish Government officials.”
One newspaper said: “The prospect of the Scottish Government using one of Mr Trump’s companies to procure accommodation would have been unthinkable under Mr Swinney’s predecessors, Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon.”
Meanwhile, another headlined the now seemingly deleted story: “Was it the Presidential suite, John? Taxpayer picks up the tab for Swinney's visit to Trump resort”.
WHAT’S THE TRUTH?
In a statement released on Sunday, Trump International Scotland refuted the claims from the news outlets that said Swinney had stayed at its Aberdeenshire hotel.
A spokesperson for the firm explained that staff at Trump International Scotland were asked to assist the Scottish Government in securing accommodation offsite during the First Minister’s visit.
The accommodation was booked with a third party and the cost incurred with that third party provider was then passed to the Scottish Government at their request.
The spokesperson reiterated that neither the First Minister, nor any Scottish Government officials, stayed at Trump International in Aberdeenshire at any point.
In a statement they said: “We were delighted the First Minister attended a dinner at MacLeod House, Aberdeenshire, during the President’s visit last month and was also the preeminent guest at the Grand Opening Ceremony of the New Course the following day. To be clear, The First Minister did not stay overnight at any Trump International Scotland property nor was charged by Trump International.
“Trump International Scotland did receive a request from the Scottish Government to assist with sourcing hotel accommodation in the Aberdeen area which we were pleased to do. The Scottish Government specifically requested that the invoices for this accommodation be settled by them.”
The Scottish Government also responded to the claims.
“The First Minister did not stay at any Trump International hotel," a spokesperson said.
The online articles which claimed that Swinney and his officials stayed at the hotel have seemingly been amended to reflect this statement.
FACT CHECK RATING:
False. Neither Swinney nor any Scottish Government officials stayed at the hotel during Trump’s visit to the country in July.
