The environment secretary has asked the US government to consider lifting its 47-year ban on haggis.

Michael Gove claimed that while President Donald Trump “has many faults”, his mother was Scottish.

The Edinburgh-born politician said he hoped Mr Trump’s roots would make him more sympathetic.

Haggis has not been sold in America since 1971 because it contains lungs.

ADVERT

Mr Gove revealed the talks had taken place after Angus MP Kirstene Hair wished the House of Commons a happy Burns Day on Thursday.

Mr Gove, who grew up in Aberdeen, said: “On the subject of Burns Day, I had recent discussions with the under-secretary of agriculture at the US Department of Agriculture in order to see if we can lift the ban on haggis.

“While the American President has many faults, he has one virtue, which is that he has a Scots mum.

“So on that basis, I hope that he may listen sympathetically.”

ADVERT

Mr Trump’s mother Mary Anne MacLeod, who died in 2000, was born on the Isle of Lewis.

Her billionaire son briefly visited the house where she grew up in the village of Tong in 2008. He now owns two golf courses in Scotland.

Canada recently announced it would lift its ban on haggis after 46 years.