FORMER SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars has suggested the independence movement should distance itself from the party as he accused Nicola Sturgeon of "monumental political misjudgement".
Sillars, who voted to leave the European Union last year, has heavily criticised the SNP leader's decision to link a second independence referendum to the issue of Brexit.
Writing in the Daily Record, he branded the call for a second vote on leaving the UK as "premature", blaming it for the party's recent electoral losses.
His latest intervention comes as the SNP prepares to meet in Glasgow on Sunday for its three-day Autumn conference.
Sturgeon is firmly against Brexit, and had called for Scotland to be given a second vote on independence when the terms of the UK's departure deal are known, proposing a timetable of between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.
The prospect of another ballot was widely seen as a potential factor in the SNP losing 21 of its Westminster seats earlier this year.
Although she has since delayed her plans to introduce legislation for another referendum, Sturgeon remains committed to Scotland having a choice on its future at the end of the Brexit process.
Sillars said "the independence movement must reconsider their relationship with the SNP, especially in light of the error-strewn course taken by leaders with no strategic nous, out of their depth".
He added: "They lunged into an exercise in monumental political misjudgement - the demand for a premature second referendum, leading to loss of majority at Holyrood and a near wipe-out in the North East, Borders and Galloway in the Westminster election."
Backing an independent Scotland outside of the EU, Sillars continued: "Brexit is the perfect template for harmoniously and civilly dismantling a UK union no longer fit for our purpose.
"The movement must no longer be seen as an adjunct of the SNP, a deadly tie that makes independence hostage to their electoral fate.
"The movement won't win independence until it is itself truly independent."
An SNP spokesman said: "Jim Sillars is contradicting himself - he backed an independence referendum at the last Holyrood election, before Brexit had even happened.
"And he now finds himself against the majority of Scottish opinion, which is firmly opposed to the Tories' extreme Brexit plans and the damage they will cause."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel