I have no plans to meet Trump during World Cup trip to US, says Swinney

John Swinney has no plans to meet Donald Trump when he heads to the US for the World Cup, he has said.

The First Minister is expected to head across the Atlantic as Scotland’s men’s national team return to the world’s biggest football tournament for the first time in 28 years.

Scotland will take on Haiti in their opening match on June 14 in Boston.

Mr Swinney told the Press Association on Wednesday there has been no contact between his Government and the White House regarding a potential meeting during his visit.

The First Minster has forged a good relationship with the US president, meeting him numerous times last year including at his Scottish golf courses, as Mr Swinney pushed for an end to Scotch whisky tariffs.

Mr Trump announced in April the 10% levy would be dropped, citing the First Minster as a “very big part” of his decision.

During a visit to a mental health charity in Glasgow on Wednesday, Mr Swinney told PA: “I don’t have any plans to visit the White House while I’m in the United States, no.

“There’s no dialogue taking place about that particular issue.”