Mohamed Al-Fayed's vow to become Scots president, ditch Royal Family and snub Alex Salmond

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Mohamed Al-Fayed vowed to move to Scotland permanently and become president, should it gain independence.The billionaire former owner of Harrods and Fulham FC has sadly passed away aged 94.The Egyptian businessman was the father of Dodi Fayed, who was in a relationship with Princess Diana when the pair were killed in a car crash in Paris 1997.Al Fayed owned a 65,000 acre Highland estate which he described as "the most beautiful place".In 2012 Al-Fayed told BBC Radio Scotland that when the country was was 'free and independent' he was 'going to move there permanently' but claimed that the devolved Scottish Government had 'no real power' dubbing them, 'the zombies of the south'.Quoted in the Evening Standard, he said: "They just keep talking and taking no action, they are the zombies of the south.

They just have to take instructions from the south." READ MORE: Mohamed Al Fayed dead aged 94 as tributes flood in for ex-Harrods owner Back in 2009 the Daily Record reported that Al-Fayed had revealed his ambition to be the first president of an independent Scotland.

He also said he would buy Balmoral Castle and turn it into a museum after any break-up of the UK.The father said Scots 'have no hope' if they retain the Royal Family.

Al-Fayed, then 80, said: "If you Scots retain the Royal Family, you will have no hope. When you Scots regain your freedom, I'm ready to be your president."The former business mogul said he felt an affinity with the Scots and believes them to be descended from an Egyptian princess.In the mid-noughties he unveiled a life-size waxwork of himself in full Highland dress at his visitor centre on the 65,000-acre Balnagown estate in Sutherland.In a Sunday newspaper interview, he said it was time for Scotland