Scottish Parliament focusing on Trump

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

Tweet text:
Martyn McLaughlin
@MartynMcL
Thread: there's been interesting discussion in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon about the use of Unexplained Wealth Orders to investigate Donald Trump's deals to acquire his Scottish properties and ascertain the sources of the financing 1/
8:55 AM · Nov 12, 2020

Unrolled thread here
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1326916581524377600.html

Thread: there's been interesting discussion in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon about the use of Unexplained Wealth Orders to investigate Donald Trump's deals to acquire his Scottish properties and ascertain the sources of the financing 1/

.@patrickharvie said there is a need to "protect Scotland's good name from association with the toxic Trump brand" and highlighted "serious and long-standing concerns about Trump's business activities," both in Scotland and further afield 2/

Those concerns, he said, include evidence to Congress citing patterns of buying and selling thought suggestive of money laundering, and which drew particular attention to the golf courses in Scotland and Ireland. 3/

"The cause for concern is still growing," Mr Harvie told the parliament. "It's now reported that the Manhattan District Attorney's office is investigating the Trump Organisation's inflation of assets, and potential bank and insurance fraud." 4/

He added: "The Trump Organisation has been accused of repeatedly reporting fraudulent financial details to the US Office of Government Ethics, while reporting a different set of figures to the UK regulators in respect of the Trump golf courses here in Scotland." 5/

Turning to the issue of UWOs - he stressed that the Scottish Government is able to go to court and ask for an order so that it can "start getting answers," but said that so far, the government has refused to either confirm or deny that an investigation is underway. 6/

He added: "Now that Trump is set to lose immunity from prosecution in the US, he may finally be held to account there. Isn't it time that he's also held to account here? Isn't it time for answers from the Trump Organisation and for the Scottish Government to go to court?" 7/

Replying, First Minister @NicolaSturgeon said the decision on whether to pursue a UWO against Trump is one for prosecutors, not politicians - specifically, the Crown Office, which she said operated in a "right and proper" independent capacity from government ministers. 8/

She added: "I think everybody is prob well aware of my views about the soon to be former president, and my views are probably no different to ... many people across Scotland. The idea that I'd somehow try to protect him from due accountability I don't think holds much water." 9/

For what it's worth, my understanding of the UWO process is that it's the Scottish Government that can decide to go to court, under section 396A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The legislation doesn't seem to leave much room for ambiguity: legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/29/… ends/
• • •

[Spazito]

1. Oh my...

this could get very, very interesting.

I might have to restock my popcorn supply.

[grumpyduck]

2. Don't fuck around with those Scots.

(Is "Scot" the correct term? Apologies if not.)

[SharonClark]

5. Yes.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. I just want to hear what names they're calling him!

[grumpyduck]

9. Yeah, me too.

[demmiblue]

12. I HAVE to put this here:

[Rhiannon12866]

14. Thank you! Love it!

[marie999]

4. I think Trump better be careful what countries he visits when he no longer president.

[Mike 03]

6. Somebody's gonna get Trump

And I don't even think it will take all that long.

[BComplex]

10. Yep. Trump is gonna get "got" by a whole handful of people.

Putin screwed trump to the wall when he made him president. Trump will probably never "get it" that putin screwed him so badly.

[soothsayer]

7. Great Scot!

[soothsayer]

8. "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley."

[pandr32]

11. I hope he loses his properties

I may have a two-finger glass of Scotch later today and toast the Scots.

[dalton99a]

13. About time

[Jirel]

15. A fitting end to the whole family.

Hoping to see them broke and in jail in short order.

[muriel_volestrangler]

16. Full link to the Proceeds of Crime Act

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/29/section/396A

396A Unexplained wealth orders

(1)The Court of Session may, on an application made by the Scottish Ministers, make an unexplained wealth order in respect of any property if the court is satisfied that each of the requirements for the making of the order is fulfilled.

(2)An application for an order must—
...