Police snipers have been spotted in Scotland as local authorities safeguard the US President during his visit to the UK. Yesterday, they were seen at Prestwick Airport to prepare for Trump’s arrival, and today they are watching over his Turnberry golf course. The gunmen are part of a raft of security measures in place as the US president visits the UK. Around 5,000 people from the police and security services will be deployed. The Ayrshire resort has been fortified with towering fences, as well as what have been described as “sniper towers,” as police prepare for protests expected during his visit. Riflemen have also been observed on the roof of the Trump Turnberry hotel.
With a meeting scheduled with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday and Sir Keir Starmer understood to be making the trip north on Monday, Mr Trump seems to be free to play on his Turnberry course on Saturday. After arriving in Scotland, he talked immigration. The President said: “You’ve got to get Europe back together and we had nobody entering our country last month, we shut it down and we took out a lot of good people who got there with Biden. You’ve got to stop this horrible invasion that is happening to Europe, many countries in Europe.”
Earlier today, the President said on his Truth Social network: “I’m in Scotland now. Many meetings planned!!!”
Police Scotland is looking to control the demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh today, as well as any that happen near the President’s course.
The force has asked for support from others around the UK to bolster officer numbers, with both organisations representing senior officers and the rank-and-file claiming there is likely to be an impact on policing across the country for the duration of the visit.
First Minister John Swinney – who is also set to meet with the President during his time in Scotland – has urged Scots to protest “peacefully and within the law”.
The Stop Trump Coalition has announced demonstrations in Edinburgh – near the American consulate in the Scottish capital – and another in Aberdeen in the days before his visit there.
Mr Trump drew crowds to Prestwick Airport on Friday evening as Air Force One touched down ahead of his four-day visit.
A Trump flag was flown while a few spectators wore “Make America Great Again” hats.
Many of those attending were locals and aviation enthusiasts, and some who had travelled from England.
The President said he “loves standing on the soil of Scotland” after landing in the country on Friday evening, according to the UK’s Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray.