THE official campaign urging Scots to back Brexit has made its most direct pitch yet to SNP supporters, claiming leaving the EU would make Scotland "more sovereign and independent".
Scottish Vote Leave made the pitch after First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon stressed next week's vote was "not about independence".
A spokesman for the campaign said: "Nicola said this isn't about independence, but it is.
"This is about independence for the whole United Kingdom.
"If we leave we will have freedom to set our own laws, we will have the freedom to control our own borders, and the freedom to chart our own way forward.
"If we leave, the Scottish Parliament will become free from Brussels control."
The campaign said Brexit would "secure vast new powers" for Holyrood over farming, fishing, social policy and immigration.
The spokesman added: "Instead of being governed by an unelected and unaccountable elite, our elected Scottish politicians would be in charge.
"It's clear that the best way to secure a more sovereign and independent Scotland is to Vote Leave."
He spoke out after Ms Sturgeon said a strong Remain vote in Scotland could tip the balance in favour of staying in the EU.
She said: "I support an independent Scotland but I also support Scotland being in the EU whether as an independent country or as part of the UK.
"However, this vote is not about independence - it is about our continued place in Europe with all the many benefits that brings."
The Leave campaign has voiced "disappointment" that all of the SNP's MSPs, MPs and MEPs have backed the party's support for the EU.
Polls suggest almost a third of SNP voters will vote to leave the EU.
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