SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has been accused of “pleading on behalf of rich fossil fuel polluters” after he demanded clarity on UK government funding for a new carbon-capture plant mired in controversy.

The plant, part of the Acorn project to build a new gas power station at St Fergus in Peterhead, has faced considerable opposition from environmental campaigners and locals.

Earlier this week, SNP Scottish government ministers were accused of breaching the ministerial code on 28 separate occasions.