Donald Trump sparked outrage again today after it was revealed his decision to visit Scotland and play golf may cost the British taxpayer as much as £5 (About $7 Million).
Taxpayers vented their fury on social media, with many unhappy that the British public will be billed for what some described as a 'private trip'.
Wilma McEwan said: 'If Donald Trump wants to visit Scotland should he not pay for that visit himself? That £5 ($661,520 ) million earmarked for the scrounger would feed a good few families for a long time.'
Laura Smith added: 'He's only coming up here to play golf anyway! That's his own free time for which he should pay for/provide his OWN security!'
Alistair Wilson agreed, remarking: '£5,000 ($6,615) on police costs so that Trump can play golf as a private citizen? Imagine how few police are protecting Scotland today.'
Trump has two courses in Scotland – the Trump Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire, and Menie in Aberdeenshire.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Li Truss confirmed earlier this month that the government had earmarked £5 ($661,520 ) million for Scottish trip by the U.S. President.
This is just less than the astonishing £6.35 ($8.40) million the Metropolitan Police spent on security at the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William in 2011.
She tweeted at the time: 'I have confirmed that should President Trump visit Scotland, we would provide funding to the Scottish Government to cover the policing costs incurred.'
Officials in Scotland fear he may be avoiding personal costs for a business trip by including visits to his resorts within the presidential itinerary.
One man suggested Scotland should bill Trump for his stay, writing: 'It would be a good thing to get exact costs and published receipts of just how much money was spent at Trump's Scotland County Club. Every penny. We're getting tired of having our noses rubbed in it.'
Les Clarke agreed: 'I hope they hand Trump the bill for the costs of his security at least for covering his golfing weekend it Scotland, with the caveat, pay up (cash in advance - no rubber cheques) or we'll send the security home now!'
Scotland's new Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf write to UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid, saying the country does not want to settle the bill.
He tweeted: 'He is coming as a guest as the UK government, they must not leave Police Scotland with a £5 ($661,520 ) m bill.'
In the letter, he said while the final details 'for any potential visit to Scotland are yet to be confirmed, you will be aware that extensive operational planning is now underway given the imminent timing.'
Mr Yousaf said that at a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority, senior Police Scotland officers indicated that costs 'in the region of £5 million are likely to be incurred'.
In the lead up to Trump's visit Chief Constable of Police Scotland Iain Livingstone warned the Scottish Police Authority that 'we will have to utilize over 5,000 conventional officers, along with public order officer, specialised search and firearms resources'.
It is unclear how much of the £5 ($661,520 ) million has been used to pay for the ring of steel that surround the U.S. President's Ayrshire golf course where he is currently staying.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
