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Donald Trump was briefed by Sir Keir Starmer on the arrest of three people the US president called “terrorists” over alleged vandalism at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland.
“I was just informed by Prime Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom, that they caught the terrorists who attacked the beautiful Turnberry, in Scotland,” Trump said in a Truth Social post on Monday.
Trump said, incorrectly, that the three people who allegedly vandalised his property were now “in prison”. He said they had done “serious damage” and that he hoped they would be “treated harshly”.
“You cannot let things like this attack happen, and I greatly appreciate the work of Prime Minister Starmer, and UK Law Enforcement,” he said.
The briefing on police investigations represents a potential new tactic from the British prime minister as he seeks, so far unsuccessfully, to persuade Trump not to impose punitive tariffs on the UK later this week.
Starmer spoke to Trump on Sunday, and Downing Street said the two leaders discussed tariffs and Ukraine. Number 10 did not, however, reveal any mention of Turnberry or the alleged vandalism.
After Trump’s post on Monday, Downing Street did not deny the US president’s account of the conversation.
Starmer last month delivered an invitation to Trump to an “incredible” state visit to Britain and has lavished praise on the president’s attempts to secure a peace deal in Ukraine.
Now Trump appears to think Starmer had a personal role in apprehending those suspected of damaging the president’s golf course in Ayrshire.
On Monday, Kieran Robson, 33, of Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, appeared in a private hearing in Ayr Sheriff Court, where he was charged with malicious mischief, the Press Association reported. He was released on bail pending a further court appearance.
On Saturday, protest group Palestine Action said an “actionist” had been remanded to court following an arrest at his home, and called on supporters to assemble at the Ayr court to demand his release.
The group posted on Monday: “FYI there is no-one in prison for this action. The one who was charged was released today. The only terrorists here are the ones perpetrating genocide.”
Last week, police said a 75-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman had been arrested in connection with the damage and were released pending further inquiries.
In the aftermath of the alleged vandalism, the group posted pictures of the damage at Turnberry, including red paint splattered on building walls and “Gaza is not 4 sale” daubed on to a green.
Trump discussed with Starmer the idea of Turnberry hosting the Open Championship when the two met at the White House in February.
The R&A, the administrative body that runs the Open, the world’s oldest golf championship, has said that there are logistical and commercial issues around Turnberry hosting the event.
