In an interview with CBS, DeWolf calls Scientology a “well-funded psychotic beast” and describes Hubbard as nothing more than a “lying con-man” who peddled “pseudoscience”.

DeWolf said Scientology destroyed his own family and undoubtedly led to Holmes’s divorce from Cruise.

He is the grandson of Hubbard’s eldest son, who changed his name after falling out with his father over his teachings.

He said his mother never talked about Hubbard or Scientology. “It destroyed and devoured both her grandfather and her father,” he said.

DeWolf told CBS that "Cruise is another victim of the mirage that my great grandfather created around himself".

"He’s as deep as you can possibly get into Scientology. He’s probably going to die a Scientologist. I don’t believe he could leave even if he wanted to” he added.

He said Holmes was lucky to get out, “the more she saw behind the curtain the more horrified that she probably was”.

The vocal critic refused to be silenced, however, and has repeatedly spoken out against the church.

The Church of Scientology refuted Mr DeWolf’s claims in a statement to CBS.

”Despite his public representations and self-promotion, Mr. DeWolf is not knowledgeable about the Church of Scientology or its founder,” said spokesperson Karin Pouw.