Police Scotland faces being sued by own officers over Donald Trump visit
TRUMP TRIP ROW Police Scotland faces being sued by own officers over Donald Trump visit
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POLICE Scotland is facing legal action from its own officers in a row over overtime payments and lieu ahead of Donald Trump's visit to Scotland later this week.
The Scottish Police Federation said the force promised to 'provide minimum standards of health and safety at work' during the visit.
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Mr Trump will visit both golf courses in Scotland at Turnberry and the Menie Estate
Credit: AFP
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Scottish Police Federation General Secretary David Kennedy
Credit: Alamy
Mr Trump will visit both golf courses in Scotland at Turnberry in Ayrshire and the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.
And fed General Secretary David Kennedy said the dispute relates the absence of a proper workforce plan for the visit.
He said: 'Sadly, we have seen these agreements breached in the days leading to the arrival of POTUS and as such we are seeking legal advice regarding potential legal action against the service.'
Trump also have a face to face with PM Keir Starmer in Aberdeen.
But the move has led to fears it will be putting even more pressure on stretched cops.
He said: 'It's to do with when officers can be told how many hours they need to work, the notification period they get, what they work, when they work, what shifts they work.
'Because they have been breached we have to take legal advice over that.
'We have had verbal communication from Police Scotland that they want to resolve this so we are hopeful that will happen and legal action won't have to be taken.
'But there hasn't been an event in the last five to six years that we have not had prolonged talks about what officers are owed financially, and timewise what they are due to get back, after any event.'
SPF chairman David Threadgold confirmed Police Scotland is stretched enough as it is without having to deal with Trump.
Donald Trump spotted pocketing Club World Cup winners medal as president walks off stage
He told the BBC: 'We are facing increasing demand for our services against a backdrop of reducing police officers.'
Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond: 'We are working closely with the Scottish Police Federation to address any concerns they may have.'
Scots Tories justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: 'It's a damning reflection of how badly the SNP's savage cuts have affected Scottish policing that the SPF don't believe their members can safely staff the presidential visit, while their bosses are pleading for reinforcements from Northern Ireland.'
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