A SCOTTISH Labour MP has been caught up in a row over his support for a proposed Lanarkshire land deal linked to a party donor.

Michael McCann gave enthusiastic backing for a trust set up by millionaire property developer James Kean to buy a council site below market value.

However, the idea was met with a lukewarm reception by South Lanarkshire Council, prompting one MSP to question McCann's intervention in the scheme.

McCann was elected MP for East Kilbride in 2010, before which he was a local councillor. He is now chairman of the Labour group of Scottish MPs.

Companies ultimately owned by Kean donated more than £3000 to Labour between 2008 and 2010.

In 2011, the BBC reported that McCann had been an associate of Kean's for at least six years, with council leader Eddie McAvoy saying the pair go "back a long time".

The BBC reported that the relationship had not been declared by McCann as a councillor when one of the committees he sat on dealt with applications relating to Kean's firms.

As an MP, the BBC also revealed that McCann had intervened in a supermarket dispute that could have benefited Kean's business empire.

The Sunday Herald can now reveal the MP offered fulsome support this year to a venture heavily linked to the tycoon.

The East Kilbride Community Trust (EKCT) was set up in 2009 by Kean to promote health and participation in sport.

The tycoon is listed as one of the charity's four trustees and he and one of his firms have given EKCT more than £1.2 million in loans and donations.

Within months of the trust being established, EKCT secured a "concessionary lease" on council playing fields for £1 per annum for 50 years.

The recommendation for the deal was moved by Labour councillor Jim Docherty and seconded by McCann.

In May this year, EKCT chief executive Monique McAdams emailed local politicians about the charity's plan for a new sports and events arena.

The trust wanted to buy vacant council land in the Langlands area of East Kilbride for £175,000 and use it for the new complex.

The 3.9 hectare site has in recent years benefited from more than £4m in grants and public funding, money that was supposed to prepare for the relocation of Rolls-Royce.

However, the engineering giant's move never materialised and the trust became interested in the site.

Days after McAdams asked for local support, McCann replied by describing the proposal as "very exciting" and "unique".

He explained: "I say this for two reason [sic]: first; rather than asking for the land to be gifted by the council, EKCT have submitted a cash bid and second your charity plans a multi-million pound investment. It's simply unheard of."

He wrote that the deal was a "no brainer" and was sure "the council will feel the same way".

McCann added: "I have no hesitation in confirming my support for this magnificent project and I will be delighted to be an EKCT champion." However, the council has not agreed to the proposal.

A local authority spokeswoman told this newspaper that a condition of sale is that the land should be sold for market value. She said £175,000 is below market value.

It is understood the council's executive committee will consider the future of the site later this year.

There is no suggestion of any impropriety in relation to the Langlands land plan.

However, Central Scotland MSP John Wilson believes McCann should have paused before backing the scheme.

He said: "At a time of financial constraint, it is imperative that local authorities get best value whenever their land and properties are being sold. Given the BBC programme in 2011, Michael McCann should have reflected before taking a clear stance on this land deal."

Responding to this newspaper's question, the trust's Stuart Chalmers said EKCT has now suggested to the council that the land be donated to the charity.

He said a number of politicians had "voiced support" for the land proposal, adding that the council had "egg on their face" as a result of public funds being used to prepare the site for Rolls-Royce.

McCann said his support for the project is "well documented" and that he supports all registered charities in his constituency.

He added: "I have no expertise or an opinion regarding the value of the land, that is a matter between South Lanarkshire Council and EKCT. However, it seems to me that in a dispute of this nature the sensible thing to do would be to involve an independent valuer who is acceptable to both sides."