Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email
Police have charged a 55-year-old man over a protest in which a paraglider sailed within metres of Donald Trump as the US president visited his golf course in Scotland.
A demonstrator trailing a banner reading “Trump well below par” flew past the American leader at his Turnberry resort in Ayrshire on Friday, as protests took place across Britain over his controversial visit to the UK.
The stunt, orchestrated by environmental group Greenpeace , was condemned by Police Scotland, which said the activist had placed themselves in “grave danger” as snipers watched on from the hotel’s roof.
The force launched an investigation into an alleged breach of a no-fly zone around the course.
A spokesman said: “Police Scotland can confirm that a 55-year-old man has been arrested and has now been charged in connection with an incident when a powered parachute was flown in the vicinity of the Turnberry Hotel around 9.45pm on Friday 13 July 2018.”
He is expected to appear at Ayr Sheriff Court on Monday and a report will be submitted to public prosecutor, the Procurator Fiscal.
Footage of the incident showed Mr Trump being ushered inside his five-star hotel as the protested drifted towards him.
Images showed marksmen assigned to protect the president pointing their rifles at the powered parachute, which circled the hotel at about 10pm.
Greenpeace shared a video of the stunt in a tweet, which read: “Watch as @realDonaldTrump tries to hide from our message flying right over his head.”
The campaign group said it had alerted the police to the protest 10 to 15 minutes before it took place.
Greenpeace spokesman Ben Stewart said: “Theresa May should not have dignified Trump with a visit to the UK.
“The vast majority of British people are appalled by his words and deeds. He is, simply, the worst president ever. That’s why we flew over him with a message branding him well below par.”
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and puttingShow all 100 1 /100Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump walk to a joint news conference holding hands
Reuters
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting People march holding anti-Trump signs in Edinburgh while the US. President is visiting Trump Turnberry Luxury Collection Resort in Scotland
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart from Glasgow Prestwick Airport
REUTERS
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Trump on the back
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting President Donald Trump waves whilst playing a round of golf at Trump Turnberry Luxury Collection Resort
Getty Images
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donut TrumpScotland United Against Trump demonstrators gather at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald Trump plays a round of golf at Trump Turnberry
Getty Images
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting People march holding anti-Trump signs
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Trump waves form golf course
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting
Getty Images
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Trump goes for a stroll
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Trump blimpA giant balloon depicting US President Donald Trump as an orange baby is launched as protesters gather in the Meadows, after taking part in the Scotland United Against Trump march through the streets of Edinburgh
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting U.S. President Donald Trump drives his golf buggy
REUTERS
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting A Greenpeace protester flying a microlight passes over Donald Trump's resort in Turnberry
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump look at the media during their arrival on Air Force One at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Scotland United Against Trump demonstrators gather at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Security and police teams surround the perimeter of Trmup's golf course
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Scotland United Against Trump demonstrators
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Teams of police officers patrol the beach outside near Trump Turnberry Luxury Collection Resort
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Pro-Trump supporters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in support of President Donald Trump's visit to the UK, in London
EPA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Scottish Labour leader, Richard Leonard speaks to crowd
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Ex-pat
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Demonstrators hold placards near the golf resort owned by US President
REUTERS
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Protesters wear orange face makeup
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Pro-Trump supporters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in London
EPA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Trump protestors on the beach near to the Trump Turnberry resort
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Protestors against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump near Aberdeen
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting A mounted police officer patrols anti-Trump rally
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Trump supporter Bill McGibbon outside his cottage near to the Trump Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting
AFP/Getty Images
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Queen Elizabeth II and President Donald Trump inspect an honour guard at Windsor Castle
Getty Images
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Queen Elizabeth II stands with US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, during their visit to Windsor Castle
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald Trump walks ahead of Queen Elizabeth
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald and Melania Trump listen to the Coldstream Guards, play the US national anthem next to the Queen
REUTERS
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Protesters in Windor
Getty Images
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US President Donald Trump and first lady Melanie Trump are greeted by Queen Elizabeth II, during an arrival ceremony with the Guard of Honour at Windsor
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Queen Elizabeth II waits to greet US President Donald Trump as he arrives by helicopter
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Ed Miliband joins the march
Angela Christofilou
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting PM and President
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Protestors hold banners
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting UK meets US
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Protests at Trump visit
Angela Christofilou
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Trump and May
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Protests at Trump visit
Will Gore
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Protesters for the 'Stop Trump' Women's March gather in London
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May hold a joint press conference
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald Trump and Theresa May attend a press conference
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Demonstrators protest against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump
REUTERS
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Prime Minister Theresa May walks with US President Donald Trump at Chequers
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald Trump UK protest
Angela Christofilou
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting First Lady, Melania Trump, tries her hand at bowls
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US President and British Prime Minister at Chequers
Reuters
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Demonstrator in Black Lives matter T-shirt
Angela Christofilou
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Theresa May and Donald Trump enter Chequers
REUTERS
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Protestors wearing Donald Trump and Theresa May paper mache heads join the protest in Butler's Cross
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting First Lady, Melania Trump, looks on as Philip May tries bowls
Getty Images
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting American Psycho poster
Angela Christofilou
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting First Lady, Melania Trump, reacts as she tries her hand at bowls
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald Trump protest in London
Angela Christofilou
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Theresa May, Donald Trump with US ambassador to the United Kingdom Woody Johnson and British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt at the start of the bilateral meeting at Chequers
EPA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Melania Trump and Philip May wave flags
REUTERS
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald Trump is greeted by Theresa May
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting The US First Lady Melania Trump, helps children to make poppies
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting The handshake between Donald Trump and Theresa May
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Demonstrators raise a six meter high effigy of Donald Trump
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald Trump stands alongside Theresa May after he arrived for talks at Chequers, her country residence in Buckinghamshire
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting A six-meter high cartoon baby blimp of Donald Trump hovers next to the statue of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting First Lady, Melania Trump, accompanied by Philip May, meets schoolchildren and British Army veterans
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting A lookalike of former British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson stands next to a person in a cage wearing a money suit and a mask of Donald Trump
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald Trump gestures as he prepares to board Marine One to depart the US ambassador's residence Winfield House
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Demonstrators stand in front of a blimp portraying US. President Donald Trump, in Parliament Square
REUTERS
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting The Prime Minister hosts President Trump and First Lady Melania at a black tie dinner with business leaders at Blenheim Palace
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting The Prime Minister, accompanied by husband Philip, arrive with President Trump and First Lady Melania to a black tie dinner with business leaders at Blenheim Palace
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting The Prime Minister and President Trump are seen holding hands, not for the first time
EPA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting President Donald Trump pumps his fist during his arrival, with first lady Melania Trump, in Regent's Park
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Demonstrators bang pots and pans as they gather at the US ambassador residence in Regent's Park
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump walk in the grounds of the US ambassador's residence Winfield House
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting A demonstrator protests next to the specially erected fence surrounding the US ambassador's residence
REUTERS
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting A motorcade arrives at Winfield House in London, the residence of American Ambassador to the to the Court of St James's
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting A presidential helicopter lands in the grounds of the US ambassador residence in Regent's Park
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Protesters chant and wave placards during a demonstration outside Winfield House
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting he Marine One helicopter carrying US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump flies past the BT Tower
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Protesters chant and wave placards during a demonstration outside Winfield House
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump disembark from Air Force One after arriving in the UK
Reuters
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US First Lady Melania Trump and US President Donald Trump are greeted by US Ambassador to the United Kingdom Woody Johnson
AFP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US President Trump and Melania Trump leaving Stansted Airport
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting An honour guard stands to receive US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Donald and Melania
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox on their arrival
Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US Marine Corps Osprey aircraft taking off
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Us President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump disembark from Air Force One
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US President Trump and Melania Trump arrive at Stansted
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting A giant 'Human Rights Nightmare' banner is unfurled by Amnesty International activists across the river Thames on Vauxhall Bridge to protest against the visit of US President Donald Trump
AP
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US President Donald Trump waves as he arrives in the UK
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting An armed police officier waits on the tarmac at Stansted Airport
AFP/Getty
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at Stansted Airport
PA
Donald Trump UK visit: protests, placards and putting Armed police await the arrival of US President Donald Trump at Stansted Airport
REUTERS
Following the stunt, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams told BBC Scotland: “There are armed assets protecting the president – both from the US Secret Service and ourselves and the Met Police, who offer a close protection function as well.
“And there’s no doubt anybody who breaches security around him puts themselves in grave danger.
“On this occasion we could assess the situation and we realised there was no direct threat to the president however it’s absolutely something that is very serious.”
The president and his wife Melania have been staying at Turnberry this weekend during a private leg of their UK visit, which was marked by huge demonstrations involving thousands of people in London, Edinburgh and other cities.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies