The SNP‘s Westminster leader lobbied ministers on behalf of a green energy firm before receiving a massive campaign donation from one of its chiefs.
Stephen Flynn contacted SNP ministers on behalf of representatives of a firm behind an offshore wind project as they sought a meeting to discuss a ‘consent logjam’.
The giant Green Volt floating wind farm, off the Aberdeenshire coast, was granted planning consent by the Scottish Government just months later .
Mr Flynn subsequently received a £30,000 donation from a senior official at its developer Flotation Energy.
Douglas Lumsden, Tory MSP for the North East, said: ‘The timing of this donation raises serious questions about what exactly Stephen Flynn may have done.
Stephen Flynn contacted SNP ministers on behalf of representatives of a firm behind an offshore wind project as they sought a meeting to discuss a ‘consent logjam’
The giant Green Volt floating wind farm, off the Aberdeenshire coast, was granted planning consent by the Scottish Government just months later
‘Mr Flynn should clarify why he received a £30,000 donation just one month after this decision was made.
‘If it involved anyone else, Mr Flynn would be among the first to shout about this. It looks like shameless hypocrisy.’
Correspondence released by the Scottish Government in response to a freedom of information request shows that Mr Flynn emailed energy minister Gillian Martin on October 6, 2023, and forwarded correspondence he had received from Flotation Energy seeking ‘a ministerial meeting to break consent logjam’.
In his email to Ms Martin, Mr Flynn said: ‘I’d be grateful if Scottish Government officials could review the information below and, if appropriate, arrange contact with those involved to discuss these matters further.’
Ms Martin’s assistant private secretary forwarded the email to officials in the Scottish Government’s correspondence unit, and copied in Ms Martin, with the message: ‘Fast track MR please.’
It was announced on April 22 this year that the project had received planning consent from the government.
Mr Flynn subsequently received a £30,000 donation from a senior official at its developer Flotation Energy
Mr Flynn registered a £30,000 donation from Allan MacAskill, co-chief technical officer of Flotation Energy, on August 2. Electoral Commission records show it was accepted on May 27.
Mr MacAskill is said to be a supporter of the SNP and the brother of former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.
An SNP spokesman said: ‘Any local MP worth their salt would do everything they could to ensure vital renewable projects are delivered.’
Flotation Energy said it had ‘very regular discussions about the [Green Volt] project with key organisations including the Scottish and UK governments’.
