TurnberryThe luminous yellow vest worn by Scottish police was one of the most common clothes seen on the golf course on Friday before his visit, even though it may not be usual golf wear.
As thousands of officers guarded the course ahead of protests scheduled during the president’s visit, the standard issue uniform, which is very different from the typical Turnberry tartan, was clearly apparent on the grass, the beaches, and the dunes.
Suggested Videos
Trump was met with both admiration and derision on Friday night.
Due to planned protests over the weekend, his presence necessitates a significant police operation that will cost Scottish taxpayers millions of pounds. Some residents are unhappy about the expense, and the union that represents cops is worried that they will be taken away from their regular responsibilities in addition to being overworked.
Why doesn’t he cover the cost himself? Isn’t he coming to play golf? Merle Fertuson, a lone demonstrator in Edinburgh, remarked as he held a hand-drawn cardboard banner with a tuxedo-wearing, foolishly cunning image of Trump. It has absolutely nothing to do with public funds, either in the United States or the United Kingdom.
According to Freedom of Information numbers, the cost of policing Trump’s 2018 four-day visit to the United Kingdom was over 14 million pounds ($19 million). His two-day golf excursion to Turnberry, the ancient course and hotel in southwest Scotland that he purchased in 2014, cost more than three million pounds ($4 million).
Police Scotland only stated that the expenses will be high and would not disclose the number of officers being deployed for operational reasons.
As part of mutual aid agreements, colleagues from other U.K. police forces will assist with the visit, which will necessitate a major police operation involving local, national, and specialized resources from throughout Police Scotland, according to Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond.
claimed that the visit wouldn’t have a negative impact on law enforcement.
According to David Kennedy, general secretary of the officers’ union, the Scottish Police Federation, it is absurd to claim that it won’t affect it.
Kennedy stated that he anticipates roughly 5,000 cops participating in the operation.
According to him, police are now working 12-hour shifts as a result of a force reduction in previous years. During Trump’s visit, understaffed communities will be left with even fewer officers.
The United States president should be able to visit Scotland, according to our wishes. Kennedy stated that this is not about that. “The police service’s current situation and the numbers we have create a lot of challenges.
Protests are scheduled for Saturday in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dumfries by the Stop Trump Scotland group. The group urged individuals to express to Trump our true feelings about him in Scotland.
The United Kingdom, which is scheduled to meet with Trump during the visit, need to welcome him with far more warmth. Swinney, the former Trump critic and left-leaning leader of the Scottish government, is also scheduled to meet with the president.
___
From London, Melley reported. From Edinburgh, Will Weissert made a contribution.
