MSPs are to launch an investigation into the Scottish Government's handling of Donald Trump's controversial £1 billion golf resort plans.

MSPs are to launch an investigation into the Scottish Government's handling of Donald Trump's controversial £1 billion golf resort plans.

First Minister Alex Salmond will be among those quizzed on their role in the affair as part of an inquiry by Holyrood's Local Government and Communities Committee.

Tory business manager David McLetchie did not face any opposition from fellow MSPs when he put forward proposals to take evidence on the planning application.

He claimed the US tycoon's plans for the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire and how it was handled by the local council and ministers had been surrounded in controversy.

"I think that this committee would be the appropriate body to examine some of the issues arising out of that," the Pentlands MSP added.

"I think it's important to stress that it would certainly not be our role to consider the merits or demerits of this particular application.

"But to look solely at the process by which it has been handled, about which I think there are genuine public concerns not just in relation to people in the north east of Scotland but indeed across Scotland."

Finance secretary John Swinney, planning minister Stewart Stevenson, the government's chief planner Jim Mackinnon and Aberdeenshire Council chief executive Alan Campbell will also be called to give evidence.

The committee will take legal advice and wait for the answers to a series of parliamentary questions before calling the witnesses at their meeting on January 16.

They expect to issue a report on the investigation at their next meeting on January 23.

The row erupted after Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee kicked out the plans for the resort, including two golf courses, a hotel and housing, on November 29.

On December 4, Mr Swinney "called in" the application, which meant the government would have the final say on the matter.

The day before, Mr Salmond met members of the Trump Organisation at a luxury hotel near Aberdeen, although the SNP leader has said this was done as part of his role as a local MSP.

It has also emerged that on the day ministers called in the application, Trump representatives were with the government's chief planner during a phone call to the council chief executive.

However, Mr Trump's aides had been asked to leave the room before the discussion took place.