Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has urged First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to use an unexplained wealth order (UWO) to investigate how Donald Trump financed his Scottish golf resorts. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, Harvie cited concerns raised in the US Congress about possible money laundering linked to Trump's business deals, including his purchases of the Menie estate in Aberdeenshire and Turnberry in Ayrshire.
Harvie noted that Trump's known sources of income appeared insufficient to cover the “huge cash spending spree” during the global financial crisis. He argued that there were “reasonable grounds” to suspect unlawful funding, and that a UWO—a legal tool designed to compel disclosure of wealth sources—could be sought through the Court of Session. “Scottish ministers can apply via the Court of Session for an unexplained wealth order, a tool designed for precisely these kinds of situations,” he said.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon responded cautiously, stating that Scotland “is not that kind of country” where anyone can buy property without questions, but she declined to give a direct answer without full information. Her spokesman later clarified that decisions on UWOs are made by the Civil Recovery Unit, which reports to the lord advocate, and noted that a previous report from campaigners had been passed to that office.
Trump International executive vice president Sarah Malone condemned Harvie's comments as “utterly baseless and malicious,” accusing him of harming inward investment. The Trump Organization has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Scotland and created thousands of jobs, she said. Harvie, however, maintained that seeking a UWO would demonstrate Scotland's commitment to transparency and rule of law.
