Donald Trump has honorary degree revoked by Robert Gordon University following controversial remarks about Muslims

RGU had originally recognised Mr Trump for being 'one of the world’s top businessmen,' adding: 'Our students - the entrepreneurs of tomorrow - can learn much from his business acumen, drive and focus'

(AP)

A Scottish university which awarded Donald Trump with an honorary degree in 2010 has confirmed it is revoking it after the US presidential frontrunner made controversial remarks about Muslims in statement on Monday.

Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen presented Mr Trump with the award of Doctor of Business Administration (Hon DBA) at the university in October 2010.

At the time, Professor John Harper - RGU’s acting principal and vice-chancellor - said: “Given that business and entrepreneurship lie at the heart of much of the university’s academic offering, it is only fitting to award Mr Trump with an honorary degree.

“He is recognised as one of the world’s top businessmen and our students - the entrepreneurs of tomorrow - can learn much from his business acumen, drive, and focus.”

Today, though, an RGU spokesman said: “In 2010, Robert Gordon University awarded an honorary DBA to Mr Donald Trump in recognition of his achievements as an entrepreneur and businessman.

“In the course of the current US election campaign, Mr Trump has made a number of statements that are wholly incompatible with the ethos and values of the university. The university has therefore decided to revoke its award of the honorary degree.”

The move has come shortly after Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also stripped Mr Trump from his role as a business ambassador for making the remarks on Monday.

Mr Trump has been at the centre of a controversy which has seen him receive condemnation from around the world after he called for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”

RGU - which has a long-standing commitment to the development of entrepreneurship within its student body - originally chose to confer the degree on Mr Trump in recognition of his business acumen, entrepreneurial vision and the long-term future his company was planning in the North-east of Scotland.

A petition calling for Mr Trump to be refused entry to the UK has passed 200,000 signatures in less than 24 hours, meaning the issue will be considered for debate in Parliament.