Alex Salmond is to ask Grampian Police why its officers arrested those making the controversial film about Donald Trump's golf course, with the documentary now having been watched by one million viewers.

The First Minister, after admitting for the first time he had seen You've Been Trumped, said he was to address concerns raised by a number of constituents in his Aberdeenshire East constituency over the arrest of Anthony Baxter and his colleague.

The film, which was shown on BBC2 on Sunday, shows Mr Baxter, of Montrose, being arrested, handcuffed and detained for several hours after filming local residents opposed to the golf development.

In a letter to constituents, Mr Salmond aired some criticism of the documentary claiming the "simple reality" was there was overwhelming local support of the golf course.

He added: "Nonetheless, the film raises issues which have caused concern to a number of my constituents, specifically the strong suggestion that Grampian Police acted in a partial and unacceptable manner, for example in the arrest of the filmmakers which took place in 2010.

"With that in mind, I have written to the Chief Con-stable of Grampian Police, Colin McKerracher, to allow the police service the opportunity to explain their actions and what steps have been taken in response to previous complaints.

"Should you wish, I can arrange to have this reply forwarded when it becomes available."

Mr Salmond also said in the letter a "full public local inquiry" also recommended in favour of the development.

A spokesman for Grampian Police said no letter had yet been received.

Mr Baxter questioned why Mr Salmond was going to ask questions of Grampian Police now, but hadn't over two years ago following the arrest when his camera and footage was impounded for six days.

The filmmaker said: "Only now, after over a million people have seen the film through its BBC broadcast does the First Minister feel he has to act."