- Scottish lawmakers and activists have been pushing for investigations into how Trump funded his Scottish golf resort.
- The Scottish government rejected the investigation called the “Unknown Wealth Order” in February.
- But on Wednesday, a judge said that a campaign group can appeal the refusal.
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The judge heard that there was “Real and significant concerns“About the Trump Organization and its financial situation.
Opposition lawmakers and activists in the Scottish Parliament have Has been pushing since January Investigate how Trump is funded Full cash purchase of his two Scottish golf resorts in Aberdeenshire, Turnberry and Trump International Golf Links.
Turnberry, the more expensive resort, Spend more than R886 million in 2014, And Trump Claimed to spend another $150 million (Approximately R2.2 billion) Refurbish it.
activist Argued The purchase is suspicious because Trump had previously used debt to finance his large-scale purchase Initiated a cash consumption boom of US$400 (about R6 billion) Purchase these two resorts.
In February, the Scottish government decided not to implement the Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO)-also known as the “Mike Mafia” Order against the Trump Organization. UWOs were introduced in the UK in 2018 to combat money laundering and In some cases, resulting in the confiscation of assets Use suspicious funds to buy.
But on Wednesday, Lord Sandison of the High Court of Scotland allowed a judicial review to appeal the government’s decision not to continue the investigation.
“I allow the petition to proceed unconditionally or without restriction,” He wrote.
The appeal was filed by the campaign organization Avaaz.
The case may be heard in the High Court of Scotland later this year, and Awaz hopes that it can overthrow the Scottish government’s opposition to UWO to the Trump Organization.
Attorney Kay Sprigham, who represented Avaaz at the licensing hearing, argued that the ongoing criminal and civil investigations by the Trump Organization in New York proved that the former president’s business transactions in Scotland should be investigated. Scots Report.
she says Criminal charges filed against Allen Weisselberg in July -The CFO of the Trump Organization retains the leadership position at Trump’s Turnberry Resort-providing further justification for the investigation.
The Scottish Parliament rejected UWO’s call in February because they stated that only legal officials-not ministers-have the authority to initiate such investigations.The vote was made by Patrick Harvie, the co-leader of the Scottish Green Party, and Lost by 89 votes to 32 votes.
At the time, Trump’s son Eric refuted Harvey’s accusations against the Trump Organization, calling him “national humiliation.”
Insider has contacted the Scottish government and the Trump Organization for comments.
