JIM Sillars has urged independence supporters to put aside their "blind loyalty" to the SNP and vote leave the EU in June's referendum.

The former party deputy leader warned remaining in the EU left Scotland in a "self imposed trap of EU hostility" towards independence.

He also said an independent Scotland could not be truly sovereign within the

28 country bloc.

In a withering attack on Nicola Sturgeon's strong support for the EU and her growing contribution to the UK-wide "In" campaign, he said: "The SNP position does not make sense; its tactical analysis is poor, and its posture on the consequences of the result is simply incoherent."

Writing in today's Herald, he added: "Nationalists face a challenge; they must separate their loyalty to the party from their loyalty to the cause of independence.

"This will mean voting for the SNP in May and against them in June.

"When assessing what outcomes will advance the cause of independence, objectivity and logical analysis, not blind loyalty will be required."

Mr Sillars was the architect of the SNP's 'independence in Europe' approach in the 1980s but has vowed to campaign for an 'Out' vote on June 23.

In his most forceful intervention in the debate so far, he said the EU had taken a "pragmatic" decision to oppose Scottish independence in 2014 and would do so again.

"In a second independence referendum we’d be told to get stuffed," he said.

He argued that it would be easier for Scotland to leave the UK if it was outside the EU, when it would be able to forge its own treaties with Brussels.

His position contrasts with that of the First Minister, who told an audience in London this week that Brexit would not be the ideal scenario for Scotland to leave the UK.

She said a decision to leave, if not backed by a majority of Scots, would increase demands for a second referendum but stressed: "I do want Scotland to be independent, but I don't want Scotland to become independent because the UK chooses to leave the European Union."

Mr Sillars said Nationalists opposed to EU membership should ignore accusations of being disloyal towards the SNP.

"It is legitimate to have a different position from the SNP on the EU referendum as it will affect the strategy of gaining independence and that is not for the SNP alone to decide," he said.

"Yes voters must ask: if the SNP succeeds, through the Scottish vote, in keeping the UK in the European Union what will be different for the independence movement?

"The EU will return to the status quo, the UK’s bluff having been called with no change towards Scotland.

"For Scotland, that means back in the same trap, our fate in their hands, with their distaste for the break-up of a member state the ruling factor in their attitude to our independence."

He added: "If we vote to remain in the UK and the EU, then seeking sovereignty is but a pretence, because we cannot be sovereign while remaining locked within a super state, because the price the EU demands is permanent surrender of sovereignty.

"That is the inescapable reality that every one of us in the Yes movement has to face."