Trump warns wind farms threaten independence

Donald Trump has written to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, warning him Scotland can "never" become independent under his leadership because wind farms will destroy the country's tourism industry.

The US business tycoon, who opposes plans for an offshore wind farm to be built near the site of his luxury golf resort near Aberdeen, said Mr Salmond was "single-handedly destroying the economic well-being of a great country".

A planning application for an 11-turbine wind farm off Aberdeen Bay was submitted to Marine Scotland last summer and a decision is expected later this year.

In his letter to Mr Salmond, he wrote: "Inward investors everywhere are reading the headlines and concluding that Scotland is no longer a secure place to invest because of the fact you are single-handedly destroying the economic well-being of a great country."

He ended by saying: "Focus on hydro, wave or tidal power and other forms of renewable energy... Your idea of independence is Gone With the Wind."