Stop Trump campaign brings up the big guns

The billionaire Donald Trump last week clashed with protesters opposed to his controversial plans to build the "world's greatest golf course" near Aberdeen. Quarry worker Michael Forbes, who is refusing to sell his property which adjoins the £750m scheme, claims Mr Trump's workers unlawfully annexed his land.

The clash is the latest skirmish in an increasingly bitter battle to prevent Mr Trump from developing the site. More than 7,000 local people have signed up to join the "bunker", co-owners of an acre of land sold by Mr Forbes to disrupt the US tycoon's plans. The philanthropist and co-founder of the Body Shop Gordon Roddick and Green MP Caroline Lucas are the latest to join the campaign.

Mr Forbes, 57, says Trump International drove earth-moving equipment on to the land he claims is his last week and erected a boundary fence. He said they moved equipment belonging to him and dumped it close by.

Trump denies acting unlawfully and insists the land is legally its to develop. "The land belongs to Trump International," a spokeswoman said. "Michael Forbes was notified well in advance that a fence would be erected to demarcate our boundary. He was given three weeks to clear the abandoned machinery and other disused items. As a result of his failure to reclaim the materials, the items were moved several metres on to his land."

Mr Forbes has been the fiercest and most vocal opponent to the development plans in an attempt to protect the property where he lives with his 85-year-old mother.

Full Story: The Independent