MICHAEL Russell has accused Douglas Ross as “out-Trumping Trump” by revealing he would boycott an independence referendum organised by Holyrood – even it was ruled legal by a court.

Scotland’s Constitution Affairs Secretary hit back at the Scottish Tory leader who said he and his party would not take part in such a vote.

Russell suggested Ross would be going even further against democracy than the outgoing US President Donald Trump, who took part in last month’s elections, though later contested the result.

“The Tories are out-Trumping, Trump,” Russell, who is also SNP president, told The National.

“At least he took part in an election. Now Douglas Ross is saying he won’t even do that if he doesn’t think he might win.

“I don’t think many people will follow his lead, but of course it would allow him to go on crying ‘foul’ no matter what the people of Scotland chose,” he continued.

He added: “That is probably the point and it stems naturally from their current position of trying to prevent a ballot and deny the democratic right of the people of Scotland to choose their own future.”

The First Minister’s preferred path to a second referendum is an agreement with the UK Government which would transfer the power to hold a legally watertight vote.

But Boris Johnson’s refusal to agree a so-called Section 30 order has prompted a growing number of SNP figures to back an alternative approach.

SNP MP Joanna Cherry has argued that Holyrood could introduce a “carefully crafted bill” on a referendum without Westminster’s consent.

READ MORE: Tories would boycott Holyrood-run indyref2 — even if approved by court

She predicted the case would “undoubtedly end up in the UK Supreme Court”, adding: “If they found the bill to be within competence, then we would have a lawful referendum. And one which would be hard for Unionists to boycott.”

Earlier this month Russell said Cherry’s proposal was a good idea and said the SNP would have “plans A to Z” in place to secure a new vote on independence.

At the weekend, Dennis Canavan, the former Yes campaign chief, also supported Cherry’s proposals – and encouraged the SNP and Scottish Government to “seize the day” or face losing the vote amid a risk of momentum for independence slowing.

The Daily Record on Monday asked the Tories if they would take part in a consultative, non-binding referendum organised by Holyrood, if one was ruled legal by a court.

A spokesman said: “No. The last thing that Scotland needs is another divisive independence referendum.

“The top priorities of the Scottish Conservatives and people across Scotland are fighting the pandemic, saving jobs and rebuilding Scotland stronger after this crisis.

“The SNP’s push to divide the country all over again as early as next year is reckless.”

Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour’s constitution spokesman told The National: “With people losing their lives and livelihoods, it is a gross insult that SNP politicians are wasting time and energy on this.

“Talk of this hypothetical situation is nothing but a distraction from what our focus should be: pulling our people together and rebuilding our country,” he added.

Asked the same question, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie did not provide a yes or no response.

He said: “Recovery from the pandemic needs a needle-sharp focus. It beggars belief that some people are spending their time cooking up elaborate ways to distract from that task.”

A Scottish Tory spokesman last night declined to comment when approached by The National with Russell’s comments.

A poll published on Monday put majority support for independence – the 16th successive one to have done so.

The First Minister has said she wants a second independence referendum to be held in the early part of the next parliament.