Donald Trump has been criticised by watchdogs for a misleading anti-wind farm advert that used images from Hawaii rather than Scotland.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned the advert, placed in the regional press in Scotland by The Trump Organisation, after an investigation found it breached regulations. Three complaints were made to the ASA and all of them were upheld.
The advert, for Communities Against Turbines Scotland (Cats), was headed "Welcome to Scotland!" above a photograph of broken and rusty wind turbines.
The text underneath stated: "Alex Salmond wants to build 8750 of these monstrosities – just think about it! Join us in Edinburgh for a march and a rally on ...". Small print at the bottom of the advert stated "Photo not taken in Scotland".
Scottish Renewables and two readers challenged whether the photograph gave a misleading impression of the proposed wind farms, because the picture was of a decommissioned wind farm in Hawaii and Scottish regulations prevented turbines from being allowed to deteriorate to the condition shown.
Scottish Renewables also challenged whether the picture and the claim "Alex Salmond wants to build 8750 of these monstrosities" were misleading, because the model of turbine featured had not been used in Scotland; and because they understood the proposed number was significantly less.
The advert was placed ahead of Mr Trump's high-profile testimony to a Scottish Parliament committee examining the Government's ambitious targets for renewable energy.
The Trump Organisation and Cats – who joined forces to campaign against turbines in Scotland – claimed experience overseas had shown turbines broke down, deteriorated and rotted as they aged.
They claimed the photograph of disused turbines was illustrative of what the target for onshore wind might look like if it did not thrive. The picture had been used with a strong sense of satire for dramatic effect.
They added the purpose of the photograph was to illustrate what could happen if the Scottish Government policy was taken forward, which they believed was clear from the text. It was also pointed out that the small print made clear the photo was not taken in Scotland.
They said Mr Salmond, as First Minister, was mentioned in the advert as the representative for the Scottish Government and its policy for the future.
However, the ASA upheld the complaints and found the advert to be in breach of rules regarding misleading advertising and substantiation.
An ASA spokesman said: "We recognised the photograph had been used to make a satirical point and considered most readers would understand the picture was chosen to represent what might happen once wind turbines were no longer in use.
"However, although it was likely some wind turbines would at some point in the future be decommissioned and others might stop working for a variety of reasons, we understood that Scottish regulations were in place to prevent the turbines from deteriorating to the condition shown in the photograph."
He added: "The advert must not appear again in its current form.
"We told Trump and Cats to ensure the pictures they used in future adverts reflected the types of turbines likely to be used in Scotland, and not to exaggerate the number of turbines likely to be installed or the possible consequences of the Scottish Government's plans to use wind turbines."
Mr Trump is waiting to find out if permission will be given for an offshore wind farm close to his Menie golf course development in Aberdeenshire and has claimed he will no longer build a hotel if it goes ahead.
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