Trump says Indyref2 would be 'terrible'

The US President says the referendum in 2014 was 'hell'

Published 2nd Aug 2017

Donald Trump says the prospect of a second referendum on Scottish independence would be 'terrible'.

The US President has given an interview to the Wall Street Journal which is says he wants to be "very involved'' with the UK because "you don't hear the word Britain any more''.

Last week Mr Trump had tweeted that a US-UK trade deal could be "very big & exciting''.

He declined to give any detail on how a post-Brexit transatlantic agreement agreement may look but added: But I can say that we're going to be very involved with the UK. I mean, you don't hear the word Britain any more. It's very interesting. It's like, nope.''

The president, who's mother came from the Isle of Lewis, also expressed concern over a second Scottish independence referendum.

He said: "It would be terrible. They just went through hell.''

The owner of luxury golf courses at Turnberry in Ayrshire and on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire, Mr Trump appeared to be worried about the future of the British Open in the event of a Yes vote.

"What would they do with the British Open if they ever got out? They'd no longer have the British Open,'' he told the newspaper.

Mr Trump spoke to the newspaper on July 25, when he tweeted: "Working on major Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. Could be very big & exciting. JOBS! The E.U. is very protectionist with the U.S. STOP!''

His comments came as International Trade Secretary Liam Fox was in Washington for talks with US trade representative Robert Lighthizer.

The meeting came after critics raised fears that British markets could be opened up to US agricultural products currently blocked by EU food standards rules, including controversial chlorine-washed chicken