John Swinney has said the first time he heard of sexual harassment complaints against an SNP MP was three years after Alex Salmond allegedly told Nicola Sturgeon.
The Deputy First Minister revealed that he found out about the claims surrounding Patrick Grady last week when the Daily Record broke the story that the Glasgow North MP was accused of inappropriately touching a young staffer in a London pub 2016.
Following the revelations a formal complaint was submitted last week.
Grady has now resigned as the SNP's chief whip at Westminster while an investigation is conducted by the party.
At the weekend it was revealed, in a Sunday newspaper, that former First Minster Alex Salmond is believed to have warned Sturgeon about sexual harassment allegations against Grady three years ago.
The Deputy First Minister was asked about the allegations today on Good Morning Scotland and when he first knew about them.
The presenter said: "When did you learn about claims of sexual harassment being made against him (Grady)?"
Swinney bluntly replied: "When they surfaced in newspapers."
He was also quizzed on the investigation into former Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, who quit after he pestered a 16-year-old boy with messages.
Swinney said: "Well, of course, there are investigations being undertaken by the party as part of its internal disciplinary processes and that's entirely right that it should be done so.
"The party will look at all these questions in relation to the allegations about Patrick Grady, those issues are being explored, and examined and addressed.
"And that's exactly what I'd expect to be the case."
"It will be undertaken by the party and its conclusions will be communicated as it's possible to do so."
