Lawyers acting for Donald Trump have written to the Scottish Government demanding a public inquiry into plans for a windfarm near his golf course.
In a letter to Marine Scotland they say “no stone should be left unturned” in establishing if there is any economic risk to the £750million resort the tycoon is building in Aberdeenshire.
They add that the Trump Organisation will pursue “all legal remedies” available if an inquiry is not held.
The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) in Aberdeen Bay would feature 11 turbines and be visible from Mr Trump’s development at the Menie Estate at Balmedie.
Mr Trump, who says windfarms are “ugly and inefficient”, is opposed to the centre because he claims it will have a negative impact on his golf resort.
His lawyers say the Aberdeen Bay scheme should be subject to the same scrutiny as his plans at Menie, which were examined by planners, a public inquiry and the Scottish Parliament. They say: “In the interests of natural justice, such scrutiny can only properly be carried out by a public inquiry into this issue – just as the Menie Resort was subjected to a full public inquiry.
“The outcome of that was a clear finding by the Scottish ministers that the golf resort was of national economic importance.
“That decision created a legitimate expectation on the part of the Trump Organisation that their investment would not be undermined by the subsequent approval and development of incompatible neighbouring uses.”
A once solid relationship between Mr Trump and First Minister Alex Salmond has soured over the windfarm issue.
Last week, the New York-based businessman revealed that he had been asked by the Scottish Government to support the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al Megrahi in 2009.
He rejected the request.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said last night: “The contents of any correspondence from the Trump Organisation on this matter will be considered in due course.”