A GROUP of pro-independence lawyers have criticised Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee for inviting an academic to give evidence on "free speech" as part of an ongoing inquiry into the referendum.

Lawyers for Yes claimed the move was designed to present a false view that freedom of speech was being eroded in the run-up to September's vote.

The complaint comes after the Commons committee's invitation to Glasgow University professor Adam Tomkins tomorrow.

MPs asked him to give evidence on free speech after he was shouted down by SNP MSP Willie Coffey during a stormy Holyrood committee meeting earlier this month.

Professor Tomkins - who as acted as an expert adviser to the Scottish Conservatives - complained about his treatment, saying he was only allowed to finish the point he was making later.

Jonathan Mitchell QC, a founding member of Lawyers for Yes, wrote to Scottish Affairs Committee chairman Ian Davidson asking to appear before the committee and put the pro-independence  lawyers' case "in the interests of fairness and balance". But the Labour MP rebutted the approach.