Nicola Sturgeon has had no contact with former finance secretary Derek Mackay since he resigned from his post in shame over texts to a 16-year-old boy, her spokesman said.
It follows claims linked to an SNP source that talks had been held on Mackay "retiring" from the Scottish Parliament due to ill health.
It was suggested taking that route out of Holyrood, instead of simply quitting, would net Mackay around £50,000 in severance.
A spokesman for the First Minister said Sturgeon is not aware of any discussion. He said Sturgeon has not spoken to him and does not even know where he is holed up.
"There has been no contact between the First Minister and Derek Mackay," he insisted.
The Renfrewshire North and West MSP has not been seen at Parliament or attended constituency surgeries since February 5, when Sturgeon allowed him to resign after it was revealed he had sent hundreds of messages to a teenage boy.
The 42-year-old was also suspended by the SNP hours before he was due to announce the Scottish Budget. He remains an MSP despite heavy pressure from all parties to quit.
Mackay will be entitled to a quarter of his ministerial salary, £11,945 on May 5, for the 90 days after resigning.
If he were to remain an MSP until the 2021 election, he would be entitled to approximately £50,000 as a resettlement grant, having served in the Parliament for 10 years.
If he were to retire due to ill health - following speculation that he has been unwell since the news broke - Mackay would be entitled to an ill-health grant worth a similar amount.
