FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon is the “genuine article” who will lead Scotland to independence, award-winning actor Brian Cox has said.
Speaking to Piers Morgan on TalkTV this week, the Succession star, who is a vocal supporter of Scotland becoming independent, spoke highly of the SNP chief.
The former Labour member – who moved towards backing independence due to Blair’s role in Iraq – spoke extensively about his belief in independence and why he wants to see the UK become a “united federation” of independent nations.
Cox, who lives in the US but has floated the idea of returning to Scotland full-time, discussed the First Minister during the interview.
Asked which UK politicians he backs, Cox said: “I believe in Nicola Sturgeon. They’ve had a lot of problems up there, don’t get me wrong. But I do trust Nicola, I think she’s the genuine article.”
As Morgan said Sturgeon was a “divisive” figure but praised her for being upfront with the media, the actor replied: “She’s a great leader and I think she will lead us into [independence].”
The First Minister has pledged to hold an emergency SNP conference to determine the details of the de-facto independence referendum, after the Supreme Court found indyref2 is outside the legislative competence of Holyrood.
On the issue of the Union, the Golden Globe winner said he doesn’t see independence as a break up as such.
“What I believe in is independent states but we come together as a united federation,” he told the journalist.
“I don’t want to break up the Union because we are the British Isles but I want my country, not just my country, I want Wales, Scotland and England to be independent.
“I’m all for England expressing themselves in the same way Scotland does, and that we come together in a proper federation where we contribute. We don’t do that right now, because the rules are all set down here.”
He added: “It would be equal power.”
Cox also took time to reflect on the last year of Conservative politics, taking aim at short-lived PM Liz Truss.
“We’ve seen what’s happened recently which has been horrific,” he told viewers. “That party has gone from worse to worse to worse to worse to worse.”
