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Official's Trump call 'irregular' Official's Trump call 'irregular'
(21 minutes later)
The boss of the council which rejected Donald Trump's golf resort plan said he later received an "irregular" call from the government's chief planner.The boss of the council which rejected Donald Trump's golf resort plan said he later received an "irregular" call from the government's chief planner.
Aberdeenshire Council chief executive Alan Campbell told MSPs of his concern about the call, made on the day the proposals were called in by ministers.Aberdeenshire Council chief executive Alan Campbell told MSPs of his concern about the call, made on the day the proposals were called in by ministers.
But the chief planner, Jim McKinnon, strongly disagreed with the claim. But the chief planner, Jim Mackinnon, strongly disagreed with the claim.
Holyrood's Local Government Committee is investigating the Scottish Government's handling of the plans.Holyrood's Local Government Committee is investigating the Scottish Government's handling of the plans.
First Minister Alex Salmond will also be questioned by the committee.First Minister Alex Salmond will also be questioned by the committee.
I was under no pressure, far less an instruction from any minister to act in a specific way Jim McKinnonScottish chief planner I was under no pressure, far less an instruction from any minister to act in a specific way Jim MackinnonScottish chief planner
Ministers decided to have the final say on the £1bn proposals for the Menie Estate after the council narrowly rejected them.Ministers decided to have the final say on the £1bn proposals for the Menie Estate after the council narrowly rejected them.
Mr Campbell told MSPs that, on 12 December 2007, hours before the government decided it would have the final say on the plans, he received a phone call from Mr McKinnon to discuss what the options were. Mr Campbell told MSPs that, on 12 December 2007, hours before the government decided it would have the final say on the plans, he received a phone call from Mr Mackinnon to discuss what the options were.
When the council chief realised that two of Mr Trump's representatives - George Sorial and Neil Hobday - were with the chief planner, he said he was not prepared to have the discussion and asked them to leave, before it continued.When the council chief realised that two of Mr Trump's representatives - George Sorial and Neil Hobday - were with the chief planner, he said he was not prepared to have the discussion and asked them to leave, before it continued.
"I would regard it as irregular to have the conversation with them there because I wanted to explore things official to official," Mr Campbell told MSPs."I would regard it as irregular to have the conversation with them there because I wanted to explore things official to official," Mr Campbell told MSPs.
The decision to call in the application was confirmed in subsequent phone calls to Mr Campbell.The decision to call in the application was confirmed in subsequent phone calls to Mr Campbell.
Mr Salmond will answer questions from the committeeMr Salmond will answer questions from the committee
Mr McKinnon told the committee that, in retrospect, he understood Mr Campbell's concerns, but said he had been completely open and his actions were not irregular "in the slightest". Mr Mackinnon told the committee that, in retrospect, he understood Mr Campbell's concerns, but said he had been completely open and his actions were not irregular "in the slightest".
The chief planner also told MSPs: "I was under no pressure, far less an instruction from any minister to act in a specific way.The chief planner also told MSPs: "I was under no pressure, far less an instruction from any minister to act in a specific way.
"I applied my long experience and professional judgement to the handling of the case.""I applied my long experience and professional judgement to the handling of the case."
Scots Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen raised serious concerns about issues surrounding the Trump application.Scots Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen raised serious concerns about issues surrounding the Trump application.
However, Mr Salmond has denied any wrong-doing in the affair, amid concerns about the integrity of the planning process.However, Mr Salmond has denied any wrong-doing in the affair, amid concerns about the integrity of the planning process.
The Holyrood committee will also question Finance Secretary John Swinney - who will now decide whether the plans for a world-class golf course, hotel and hundreds of new house get the go-ahead.The Holyrood committee will also question Finance Secretary John Swinney - who will now decide whether the plans for a world-class golf course, hotel and hundreds of new house get the go-ahead.
Committee convener, Labour MSP Duncan McNeil, said it hoped to get to the heart of whether Mr Salmond was acting as first minister or a constituency MSP.Committee convener, Labour MSP Duncan McNeil, said it hoped to get to the heart of whether Mr Salmond was acting as first minister or a constituency MSP.