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FORMER US President Donald Trump could face having his finances investigated following a hearing at Scotland’s highest court this week.
The US-based Avaaz Foundation petitioned the Court of Session to grant a judicial review after ministers in Edinburgh declined to place an unexplained wealth order — sometimes described as a “McMafia order” — on the tycoon.
The order allows for an investigation into how a person or company earned money, with calls from charities to look into Mr Trump’s purchases of golf courses north of the border.
The judicial review, which began on Tuesday, heard that ministers have the “discretion,” but not the obligation, to request unexplained wealth orders to investigate individuals’ finances.
Ruth Crawford QC, representing Scottish ministers, said that the challenge from the petitioners is rooted in there being a duty for ministers to seek the order.
The review previously heard that there is a dispute over whose responsibility it is to apply to a court for the order, particularly between the Lord Advocate, the head of Scotland’s prosecution service, and Scottish ministers.
The hearing continues.
