John Swinney has defended Stephen Flynn after he lobbied ministers on behalf of an energy firm run by a donor who gave his branch £30,000.
The SNP Westminster leader wrote to Energy Minister Gillian Martin in October 2023 to help Flotation Energy break a "consent logjam” that was affecting plans for a large floating wind farm off Peterhead.
The project was granted consent in April, weeks before the firm's co-chief technical officer, Allan MacAskill, sent funds to the SNP branch in Mr Flynn's Aberdeen South constituency.
The First Minster has defended Mr Flynn saying the donation had been "properly declared."
He told BBC Scotland News: “There’s a financial contribution been made as part of a normal political donation for political purposes and that’s properly been declared.
“It’s a huge policy priority for all of us that want to take action on climate change that we take these decisions properly and promptly to make sure we can secure investment in renewable energy in Scotland.”
An SNP spokesperson said: "Stephen Flynn MP is a proud and vocal champion of Scotland's journey to renewable energy, and he will always support important projects that bring jobs and investment to Aberdeen and communities across Scotland.
“Any local MP worth their salt would do everything they could to ensure vital renewable projects are delivered - and Stephen has a strong record in championing investment.”
Mr MacAskill set up Flotation Energy in 2018 with its current chief executive Lord Nicol Stephen, the former Liberal Democrat deputy first minister.
He is a long-standing SNP member and donor.