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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Xander Elliards

Secret files show how Police Scotland spied on activists during Donald Trump's visit

Donald Trump (right) and Prime Minister Keir Starmer pictured during the US president's visit to Scotland in July 2025 (Image: PA)

POLICE used vehicle tracking technology to spy on activists as part of a “disruption strategy” to suppress protest during US president Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland, documents released under Freedom of Information laws have revealed.

The files obtained by the Sunday National show that Police Scotland’s “Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit” created instructions for uniformed officers to monitor activists on July 16, 2025 – nine days before Trump landed in Scotland for a visit which lasted from July 25-29.

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