Activists on both Yes and No sides of the Scottish referendum campaign have slammed the “clearly orchestrated” violence by nazi-saluting loyalist thugs in Glasgow’s George Square on Friday night.

The Union Jack-waving crowd invaded the city’s main square early in the evening and launched attacks against Yes campaigners, including a Glasgow city councillor.

Eleven arrests have been made over the weekend following the shameful scenes and Police Scotland has pledged to track down other perpetrators.

Communist Party of Britain Scottish secretary Tommy Morrison told the Morning Star the violence was “clearly orchestrated by fascist groups” such as the Scottish and English Defence Leagues.

“We know they had members over from Ireland and up from England. They were in George Square in numbers

Which they just can’t pull together from Scotland.

“They attacked Yes campaigners who were peaceful.

“There has been some ridiculous stuff on social media saying these thugs are the true face of the No campaign — as if two million Scots are allying themselves with the fascists.”

Glasgow councillor Austin Sheridan was subjected to a vicious homophobic attack by a number of the loyalist thugs as he left the city chambers on Friday evening.

Mr Sheridan, SNP councillor for the city’s Baillieston ward, said: “I am shocked and sad — shocked in the sense that they were so aggressive and sad that there are people out there who are so divisive.

“I know fine well the majority of people who voted No will want to distance themselves from this behaviour.”