THE Scottish Government erased pictures of John Swinney and Donald Trump meeting in the White House, The National can reveal.
Photographs of the two meeting in the Oval Office were posted to the Scottish Government’s official Flickr account earlier this week.
Swinney had met with the US president to raise concerns about tariffs on Scotch whisky.
Three pictures were initially uploaded, two of which showed Swinney and Trump in close proximity. These were deleted, leaving only one which showed the two men speaking across the president’s desk, accompanied by Peter Mandelson, who has now been sacked as US ambassador.
Greens MSP Patrick Harvie told The National that the Scottish Government “cannot succeed by trying to appease political extremists like Trump”, regardless of “which photos they choose to use of him”.
He added: “It’s obvious why the Scottish Government would be embarrassed by too many photos with a racist demagogue like Donald Trump, who has traded on vile conspiracy theories and tried to overturn a democratic election.
“A lot of us have been concerned by the tone that the First Minister has taken in regard to the president and the decision to meet with him during his recent Scotland visit.
“Trump is no friend of Scotland. He has a contempt for human rights, for democracy and for the environment. He represents the very worst of politics.”
Alba leader Kenny MacAskill added: “To protect Scottish jobs and industry is right. That’s his job as First Minister.
“His difficulty is that he’s oscillated from supporting Kamala Harris to being effusive to Donald Trump.
“Far better to concentrate on the day job instead of pandering.”
Swinney appears to have found his way into Trump’s good books and was praised by him as a “special guy” at the opening ceremony for his new golf course in Aberdeenshire in July.
After asking the First Minister to stand up, Trump said: “John Swinney is a terrific guy – and loves golf and loves the people of this country, and we really appreciate it.”
Speaking after his visit to America earlier this week, Swinney said that there was a “real chance” a special trade deal for Scotch whisky.
The Holyrood administration is seeking a reduction or removal of the 10% import taxes imposed on UK goods as part of Trump’s tariff regime, which the whisky industry has said costs it £4 million per week.
The Scottish Government republished the photographs after being approached for comment.
A spokesperson said: "The FM’s role is to promote the interests of the Scotch whisky – a key economic interest and iconic Scottish product – and make the case for a better tariff deal.”
