A NOBEL Prize winner has attacked the SNP's campaign for independence and urged Scots to fight against such a move.

Nobel Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa warned independence could produce a "provincial vision" of the world's social and political problems and claimed it would be "sad" if it goes ahead.

The best-selling Latin American author said: "The basic idea of nationalism is wrong. The idea that to be born in a given place is a value in itself is ridiculous.

"Now the Scots want to be independent. That would be very sad. I don't think Scotland is going to be privileged by independence. Nationalism appeals to the tribe, the basic primitive tribe. We must fight this.

"When nationalism becomes power, it is always very negative, very pernicious. It produces a provincial vision of social and political problems.

"We have had almost 60 years of peace in Europe, which is a great achievement. Nationalism has produced the most brutal and cruel wars in history."

SNP MSP Humza Yousaf said: "The SNP is proud to promote civic nationalism."