Former President Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf resort in Scotland has had its complaint against The Scotsman newspaper rejected by the UK’s largest press watchdog. The complaint was regarding two articles that highlighted the property’s failure to pass food hygiene inspections.
In a previous article published in September, it was uncovered that Trump International Golf Links did not meet the standards set by a national food hygiene inspection. The inspection found various violations, including dirty chopping boards, improper handwashing practices by staff, and the use of sausage meat that was three months past its expiry date.
In a humorous follow-up opinion piece titled “Making Trump Resort Restaurant Great Again,” the author pokes fun at the idea that a business owned by a “self-confessed germophobe” would be called out for food safety issues.
Trump International has lodged a complaint with the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), claiming that the articles have presented a misleading narrative about the resort’s current safety standards and ongoing issues.
The company argued that it had addressed the issues and successfully underwent an inspection in March 2023, which The Scotsman failed to mention in its coverage. The information obtained by The Scotsman was sourced from an outdated council website, but they acknowledged and rectified this mistake after receiving a complaint.
IPSO ruled that The Scotsman took adequate steps to verify the facts, including freedom of information requests and direct communication with the council.
The watchdog determined that the articles demonstrated cautious reporting and acknowledged that the publication took immediate action upon receiving the verified information. As a result, the publication only required a correction, rather than the requested apology.