Trump Stripped Of Scots Biz Role

9 December 2015, 15:34 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

donald trump

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has stripped Donald Trump of his status as a business ambassador for Scotland after he called for Muslims to be barred from entering America.

The US businessman and Republican presidential candidate has had his membership of the GlobalScot business network withdrawn after sparking outrage with his comments.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Mr Trump's recent remarks have shown that he is no longer fit to be a business ambassador for Scotland and the First Minister has decided his membership of the respected GlobalScot business network should be withdrawn with immediate effect.''

Mr Trump had been a member of GlobalScot since being invited to join in 2006.

The network of business leaders, entrepreneurs and executives with a connection to Scotland was set up by Scottish Enterprise in 2001.

Ms Sturgeon previously described Mr Trump's comments as "obnoxious and offensive'' and said they "do not represent the mainstream views of people across America.''

More than 20,000 people have now signed a petition calling for him to be stripped of his honorary degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen, where he was awarded a Doctorate of Business Administration in October 2010.

The online petition was set up by Suzanne Kelly, a freelance investigative journalist and satirist based in Aberdeen, on campaigning website 38 Degrees.

It accuses the controversial businessman of ''hate speech'' and demands his degree be removed ''with immediate effect''.

The university has said that the award was made before the appointment of RGU's current principal Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, who is "considering the position''.