Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first minister, has been urged to explain why he met representatives of Donald Trump the day before the Holyrood government announced it would have the final say on the US property magnate’s £1bn ($2bn) plan for a golf resort near Aberdeen.

The controversial seaside scheme lies in Mr Salmond’s seat of Gordon, and the first minister said it was in his role as local MSP that he met the Trump team last Monday at the Marcliffe, a luxury hotel in Aberdeen. The Scottish government has stressed that as member for the constituency, Mr Salmond will take no part in the planning decision.