Trump demands thousands in legal costs from elderly widow

The US billionaire Donald Trump is demanding tens of thousands of pounds in legal costs from an 86-year-old Aberdeenshire pensioner who has been trying to protect her home from his luxury golf development.

Molly Forbes, who is worried about paying her next electricity bill, is being pursued in court this week by the New York property tycoon in an effort to recover his legal bills.

“It’s very unfair,” she told the Sunday Herald. “If he’s a billionaire, what does he need money for from little people like me? He’s unbelievable.”

Forbes, a widow, is one of several residents who have been resisting eviction to make way for Trump’s controversial £750 million resort at Menie on the Aberdeenshire coast. She has been threatened with the compulsory purchase of her home.

Last year she made headlines by launching a legal challenge against Trump and Aberdeenshire Council, asking for a judicial review of the decision to give the development the go-ahead.

But she had to drop the action because she was refused legal aid.

On Tuesday there is a hearing due in the Court of Session in Edinburgh at which Trump and the council are insisting that Forbes pay their expenses. Insiders say these could amount to between £20,000 and £50,000.

Trump is also seeking an “additional fee” to compensate for the inconvenience he has allegedly been caused by the legal action. If agreed, the court would determine the amount.

Forbes said that demanding money through the courts seemed very aggressive. “But that’s the kind of man he is,” she said. “He’s so rich, he doesn’t need it does he? He could pay my expenses.”

She insisted she was not going to be intimidated, but admitted to being worried about the money. “I’m not a rich person. I just enjoy living here with what I’ve got,” she said.

She is anxious about whether she will have enough to pay her bills. She’s expecting her next electricity bill to be high. Her car insurance is due next month and her washing machine needs replacing.

Forbes was born and bred in Aberdeenshire. She talked proudly of her 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Full Story: The Herald