Donald Trump hits back at Nicola Sturgeon and tells Scots: You should be grateful

'I have done so much for Scotland,' Donald Trump says as he insists UK politicians should be thanking him instead of 'pandering to political correctness'

Donald Trump called for Muslims to be banned from the US until the authorities can 'figure out' Muslim attitudes in the US (Richard Drew/Getty)

Donald Trump has hit back at Nicola Sturgeon after she joined calls for him to be banned from the UK - saying the people of Scotland should be grateful for his contribution to the country.

UK politicians united in condemnation to his call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States until authorities "can figure out" Muslim attitudes to the US.

But writing in the Aberdeen's Press and Journal, Mr Trump said: "The UK politicians should be thanking me instead of pandering to political correctness."

Mr Trump has several business interests in Scotland, including two luxury golf courses in Aberdeen and the Open Championship venue of Turnberry in Ayrshire, while his mother was a Scottish immigrant from the Isle of Lewis.

Following his comments earlier this week, Ms Sturgeon stripped him of his ambassador role in Scotland.

On Thursday she went a step further and urged Home Secretary Theresa May to "consider" sing anti-extremism laws to block him from entering the UK.

A petition demanding he is blocked from entering the UK has attracted more than 440,000 signatures, meaning the proposal could be debated by MPs in Parliament.

Hitting back, Mr Trump wrote: "I have done so much for Scotland, including building Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, which has received the highest accolades, and is what many believe to be one of the greatest golf courses anywhere in the world.

"Additionally, I have made a significant investment in the redevelopment of the iconic Turnberry Resort, which will have massive ballrooms, complete room refurbishments, a new golf course and a total rebuilding of the world famous Ailsa course to the highest standards and specifications of the Royal & Ancient."

Asked whether Ms Sturgeon agreed with growing calls for Mr Trump to be banned, her spokeswoman said: "The First Minister has made her views on Donald Trump quite clear.

"She agrees...that there are laws around people who make certain comments being allowed in and he should be considered in the same way.

"The Home Secretary should consider the issue."

The Home Secretary has the power to exclude an individual if she considers their presence is "not conducive to the public good or if their exclusion is justified on public policy grounds".

But asked whether she would act to exclude Mr Trump, Ms May refused to "comment on individual cases".

She added: "What I would say is this - I think it is up to politicians to ensure that we work to bring communities together, rather than seeking to divide them."

On Thursday a website cancelled sales of spa days at one of his luxury golf resorts in Scotland after receiving complaints from customers.