North-east MSP Lewis Macdonald warned a “picture tells a thousand stories” after SNP MPs appeared to welcome Michelle Thomson back to the House of Commons.
He also said the public would draw its own conclusions from the fact she walked into the chamber for the immigration bill debate with Angus MacNeil.
The Edinburgh West MP, who is linked to a series of property deals under investigation by the police, also sat next to the Western Isles MP and was flanked by other Nationalist members.
She has withdrawn from the SNP whip over the alleged irregularities with deals carried out on her behalf, but denies any wrongdoing.
Yesterday, Mr Macdonald said it was up to her where she sat and the other MPs’ choice as to whether they “welcome her into their companionship”.
But he added: “The public are bound to draw their own conclusions. A picture tells a thousand stories.”
An SNP spokeswoman said she could not speak for Ms Thomson as she was no longer an SNP MP.
But she explained the benches were not SNP benches, pointing to the members from Plaid Cymru, the SDLP and Liberal Democrats who also sit there.
It is in fact the only area of the chamber where Ms Thomson can sit as those closest to the Commons speaker are reserved for Her Majesty’s Opposition – Labour.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has sought to distance herself from Ms Thomson since the police investigation was launched.