POLICE officers in Scotland are considering taking legal action over the plans surrounding Donald Trump’s visit later this week.
The Scottish Police Federation, which represents 98% of Police Scotland officers, is reportedly seeking legal advice following a meeting on Monday to discuss operational arrangements ahead of the US president's visit.
General secretary David Kennedy has said he is concerned Scotland does not have enough officers to handle such a major event.
Trump is due to visit both his golf courses in Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire between July 25 and 29.
The Scottish Police Federation believes the operation breaches legally binding workplace arrangements and the presidential visit will have a significant impact on officers, according to STV.
The president will meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer while in [[Aberdeen]], while plans are being put in place for Trump to meet First Minister John Swinney.
Kennedy told STV: “This is a big event for Police Scotland, but we have major concerns.
“We do not have enough police officers in Scotland. Anyone that says we do, I don’t know where they get those figures from.
“We know what police officers have to do day in, day out and we need more officers in Scotland.
"When these events come along that puts those officers that are here under so much pressure.”
He added in a statement: "We currently have workforce agreements in place to protect police officers and provide minimum standards of health and safety at work.
"Sadly, we have seen these agreements breached in the days leading to the arrival of POTUS and as such we are seeking legal advice regarding potential legal action against the service."
Police Scotland has submitted a request for “mutual aid” to the force in Northern Ireland ahead of Trump’s first visit since he was elected for a second term.
A request for mutual aid is a formal agreement between different police forces to provide assistance to each other, especially during major incidents or when one force’s resources are stretched.
A spokesperson from the Northern Irish force said: “There are well established processes for any UK based Police Services to request support from other services at times of peak demand.
“These requests are managed via the National Police Co-ordination Centre (NPoCC) and we can confirm that PSNI have received a request to provide mutual aid to Police Scotland which we are currently assessing.
"The decision to provide officers under the mutual aid process will be considered against our own demands, ensuring that we retain the capacity to respond effectively to local issues and maintain our own operational competence.”
Trump's second state visit to the UK is now taking place in September.
Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond: "We are working closely with the Scottish Police Federation to address any concerns they may have."
