A Trump golf course in Antrim and another in Scotland could go ahead

Figures close to the tycoon suggest that the Northern Ireland plans might not necessarily be linked to whether his Aberdeenshire complex goes ahead.

Plans for a �1bn golf resort on the Menie estate near Balmedie were rejected by councillors last week.

However, Scottish ministers decided to "call in" the decision.

They stepped in, saying that the issue required consideration at a national level.

In the wake of the vote by Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure committee, Northern Ireland's First Minister Ian Paisley met Mr Trump over possible plans to develop a golf complex in County Antrim.

Mr Trump will decide in the next 30 days whether or not to buy a site there.

Mr Paisley and Mr Trump met in New York on Tuesday after Mr Paisley found out the businessman was interested in investing in Northern Ireland.

The Trump International Links scheme in Aberdeenshire was to include two championship golf courses and 1,500 homes.