A FORMER chairman of the Scottish Tories has said Boris Johnson's remarks on devolution will lead the party to split from the Westminster Conservatives.

Peter Duncan told The National he disagreed with the Prime Minister who described devolution for Scotland as "disaster".

Johnson also told Tory MPs from the North of England that devolution was Tony Blair's biggest mistake and added that there would be no new powers for Holyrood.

"This is the kind of attitude that is a problem," said Duncan.

"I have always believed a more independent and devolved structure for the party in Scotland would be an advantage and nothing currently is telling me that that is not going to be the long-term outcome."

He added that the new structure would be similar to the relationship between the CDU in Germany and the CSU in Bavaria.

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"I believe this would be a step forward and reflect the devolved situation we have in Scotland. It would mean the party would be able to take local decisions that reflect local circumstances.

"In my mind there is nothing wrong in the Scottish party having distinct views [from the Westminster party] it would be like the relationship between the CDU and CSU in Germany. It would be a much more productive and much more mutually respectful party structure."

Pressed on the timing for the split, Duncan, who was the only Scottish Conservative MP from 2001 to 2005, added: "As to when it will happen, that depends on a whole range of things, including whether there's internal support for it.

"Clearly if I think it is a better thing then I also think the sooner it happens would put the party in a better position."

The Scottish Tories have long had a difficult relationship with Johnson - with some parliamentarians believing his toxicity in Scotland is hindering the party's fortunes and electoral chances.

Earlier this month it emerged Johnson had been told by senior Scottish Tories to stay away from Scotland in the run up to the Holyrood election campaign amid fears he would hinder rather than help their prospects.

They rejoiced when Johnson's controversial chief aide Dominic Cummings - another toxic figure to Scots - dramatically quit Downing Street last week.

And there was more glee when London based journalists were briefed that the PM was to reset his administration with a more positive approach to Scotland and develop a more consensual approach to maintaining the Union.

Last year the Scottish Tories were looking at plans to split from the UK Tories ahead of Johnson becoming Tory leader.

But the consideration was pushed aside at the time with some thinking such a move should not be done so close to the Holyrood election.

In 2011 Murdo Fraser put forward proposals for a separate Scottish Tory party during his leadership bid against Davidson.

A poll commissioned by Conservative Home at the time suggested that developing a more distinct identity, with different policies from the rest of the UK Conservative Party could boost the party – and help it appeal to younger Scots.

But Fraser, who represents Mid Scotland and Fife, was defeated in the contest to take charge of the party.

Under his plan the move would require the Scottish Tories to register as a new party, completing a legal process involving a change to its constitution and the adoption of a new set of rules.

"Murdo’s Way Forward plan wasn’t a goer in 2011, but it depends what happens now. There were people who were sceptical then, who might be more open to it in the event we ended up with someone like Boris as Prime Minister,” a senior insider told us last year.

Scottish Tory internal critics of a separate party also believe it undermines the party's opposition to independence arguing how the party can consistently maintain keeping the UK together when their own party can't remain in one unit.

But Duncan, who is no longer a party member, disagreed.

"I don't see it like that. The CSU in Germany don't advocate breaking away from the rest of Germany. They have a mature political system which allows them to take positions which may or may not align with their mother party," he added.