A FORMER Scottish Tory minister has pushed the party towards an embrace of outright Scottish independence as a means to a Conservative revival north of the border.

Allan Stewart, who was a Scottish Office minister and represented the once true-blue seat of Eastwood, said on Scottish/Grampian Television's Politics Now programme last night that the party should back independence instead of devolution. Many Conservative activists and supporters find it difficult to acknowledge the party's support even for devolved home rule.

Mr Stewart said: "If there were to be a referendum between the present devolution position and independence, I would vote for independence . . . I think independence is a far better option."

He added: "I've always believed that the English perception of what independence would do to them has always been unnecessarily worried.

There is a major issue about defence, but I don't think other issues are a real worry."

He added that tax-varying powers would benefit such as the Conservatives. "If there were independence and. . . the government had to consider tax-raising powers and public expenditure, then there is always a case for a party of the centre right."

A spokesman for Mr McLetchie said the emphasis of the leadership was to focus on making devolution work.