AN ANGRY confrontation flared up between an opponent of Donald Trump’s golf resort and the project’s director.
David Milne, who has said he would not sell his home to billionaire Mr Trump, was told to “clear off” by Neil Hobday.
Mr Milne was examining the plans for the golf development with a magnifying glass when he was accused of trying to “hijack” the event.
But Mr Milne, an opponent of Trump’s golf proposal, pointed out he had been invited to attend.
Mr Hobday said: “This is not the David Milne show, this is for the public.
“Get your own platform, pay for it somewhere else, invite the media and do it there. Just clear off, clear off.
“You are trying to hijack the whole show.”
Mr Milne replied: “I was invited here by yourselves and I am not telling these people anything they don't know.
“I am asking questions. I am not hijacking the show.”
Four homeowners around the Menie Estate, including Mr Milne, have said they were not prepared to sell to Mr Trump to help make way for the golf resort plans. The Trump team had invited all four families to view the site masterplan, at Newburgh’s Udny Arms Hotel.
Following the exchange, Sarah Malone, executive vice-president of Trump International Scotland, said of Mr Milne: “This is not a forum to shout personal views and to intimidate other people. He was making statements which were false. He was exploiting the opportunity. He was being aggressive.”
Asked about Mr Hobday's reaction, she said: “I think emotions are high when things like that being said are false.”
groberts@ajl.co.uk