A more "humane" approach to asylum, including the end of dawn raids and the closure of the Dungavel detention centre, would be introduced under independence, External Affairs Minister Humza Yousaf has said.

Scotland would introduce an independent asylum agency, separate to its immigration service, to handle asylum applications, Mr Yousaf told MSPs.

A support system would also be introduced, and, where appropriate, asylum seekers would be allowed to work, he said.

Speaking during a debate at Holyrood, Mr Yousaf said asylum seekers face many barriers under the current UK system, and wait too long for decisions on their future to be made.

"The barriers built into the current asylum system not only act to make integration more difficult, but also, in some cases, exacerbate the terrible traumas people have already faced," he said.

"These barriers reflect longstanding concerns about the highly negative impacts of the UK asylum system.

"An independent Scotland would adopt a humane approach to asylum seekers and refugees in line with our values and our commitment to upholding internationally recognised human rights. We would continue to play a responsible role and provide a place of safety for those seeking asylum."

He added: "We would take action to ensure that asylum seekers do not face destitution and humiliation by implementing a new system of support. We would also allow asylum seekers the dignity of work, if it was appropriate to their circumstances.

"Those refused asylum would be treated with fairness and compassion, and dawn raids would not form part of the current Scottish Government's proposed approach.

"We have said that from the beginning we will close Dungavel detention centre, we believe that it is an absolutely incorrect and inhumane way to treat those who have failed asylum."

Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor said it was important to recognise that some people may not be "genuine", and may be coming to the UK for other reasons such as economic reasons.

"In the interests of the genuine asylum seekers, these people must be removed from the country as smoothly as possible and we support the UK Government in taking all the necessary steps to remove those who have no grounds to stay here," he said.

Mr Grigor said the UK Government was making "steady progress" in improving the asylum system it inherited.

He added: "We would want to see (dawn) raids used only as a last resort. We have to allow the agencies time and support to rectify that situation and ensure compliance with our laws.

On granting asylum seekers the right to work, he said: "The UK Government is clear that the purpose of the current policy is to deter economic asylum."

Liberal Democrat Alison McInnes said: "What I despair of is the constant negativity from the SNP in always looking at what they cannot do.

"There is no doubt that there is plenty of scope within devolved responsibility to improve the system."

Commenting on perception of asylum seekers, Labour's Graeme Pearson added: "The major task faced by the Minister and his government is to ensure that accurate information is out there is our communities in order to reject that kind of information which passes as fact and eventually becomes accepted wisdom amongst some."