DONALD Trump has hailed his 007 hero Sir Sean Connery for helping him win approval for a controversial Scotland golf resort.
The supportive James Bond legend, who has died peacefully in his sleep, had shouted at officials to let his pal “build the damn thing!”
Paying tribute to the Bond star, Trump tweeted about their past connection.
The President said: “The legendary actor, 007 Sean Connery, has past [sic] on to even greener fairways.
“He was quite a guy, and a tough character.
“I was having a very hard time getting approvals for a big development in Scotland when Sean stepped in and shouted, ‘Let him build the damn thing’.”
Trump added: “That was all I needed, everything went swimmingly from there.
“He was so highly regarded and respected in Scotland and beyond that years of future turmoil was avoided.
“Sean was a great actor and an even greater man. Sincere condolences to his family!”
The Press Association explains that in 2007, Trump’s plans to build a luxury golf resort on the Menie Estate near Balmedie were thrown into disarray.
Officials at Aberdeenshire Council refused to grant him planning permission to green-light the project.
The Scottish Government then said it would take an independent look at the rejected resort.
And in November 2008, ministers approved the development, as they said it would have “significant economic and social benefit” for the area.
They allowed the tycoon to build 500 new houses, 950 holiday homes, a hotel and a world class golf course.
I look forward to seeing a new gem in the north-east that is good for Aberdeenshire and good for Scotland.
Sean Connery
It now transpires that the involvement of the 007 star had been key to him getting the green light.
According to the Express newspaper, the Scottish actor was to be given the membership number 007, and he had agreed to be the first person to tee off on the course.
He told reporters back in 2008: “During tough economic times, this is a major vote of confidence in Scotland’s tourist industry and our ability to rise to the challenge.
“I look forward to seeing a new gem in the north-east that is good for Aberdeenshire and good for Scotland.”
Sir Sean added: “It’s exactly this kind of swift decision making and focus on boosting the economy and local job opportunities which shows that Scotland is an excellent place to do business.”
The Bond actor died at the age of 90, his family said.
The Oscar-winning star passed away in his sleep in the Bahamas, having been “unwell for some time”, his son said.
Sir Sean, who played Bond between 1962-71, won a string of acting awards including an Oscar, two Bafta awards and three Golden Globes.
He was also knighted by the Queen in Holyrood Palace in 2000.
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The Scottish actor landed his first role as 007 in 1962’s ‘Dr. No’, which propelled him to international stardom.
His subsequent Bond films – including ‘From Russia With Love’ and ‘Goldfinger’ – are still regarded as some of the finest in the series.
A Radio Times poll of over 14,000 fans found that 56 per cent of people believed Connery was the best Bond actor of all time.
