The state visit of the US president reveals shocking truths about the gulf between ordinary people and those who rule in the 21st century, Herald columnist and Writer at Large Neil Mackay argues

It's a shame that the fancy dinner to celebrate Donald Trump’s visit to Britain isn’t being held in Scotland.

Not just so we could heckle him senseless enroute (though the chance would be a fine thing given he’s hiding from the public), but there’s a real Scottish dimension to the whole charade that’s being missed.

What’s more Scottish than Macbeth? And what’s more Macbeth than the ghost of Banquo turning up at the feast to spoil everyone’s evening?

There’s certainly a Banquo hovering over this particular banquet. The spirit in question? The world’s most infamous celebrity paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.

Each of the main players has their connection to the multi-millionaire sex offender. Trump, apparently, was big buddies with the monster.

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Just watch videos of the President - who was himself found liable by a jury in a civil trial of sexually abusing the writer E Jean Carroll - dancing and laughing beside Epstein.

Our Prime Minister thought it smart to hire Epstein’s “best pal” Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to America.

Mandelson sent supportive messages like “I think the world of you” the day before the paedophile began his sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Then there’s King Charles. He’s collateral........

© Herald Scotland