SCOTTISH actor Brian Cox is to address a pro-independence rally in Edinburgh next month.
Believe in Scotland and YesforEU announced his appearance on social media on Sunday afternoon writing they are "proud to announce" that the actor is to join the event.
Cox is widely known for being a vocal campaigner for the independence movement having previously been a member of the Labour Party.
The Succession star revealed in 2015 that Labour had failed to live up to their basic principles and he instead joined the SNP.
The rally will be held in Edinburgh on September 2.
📢 Speaker announcement. 📺 We are proud to announce that the Actor Brian Cox, will be joining us on Saturday, 2nd September in Edinburgh, at the March & Rally for an Independent Scotland in the EU. @YesforEU 👉 Event details: https://t.co/Ln5PozQ6oz pic.twitter.com/WVuLwQ8BJH
— Believe in Scotland (@believeinscot) August 19, 2023
Commenting in his appearnace, Cox said: “This is shaping up to be a great event and I am delighted to be asked to speak. Let’s speed up our push for independence on Saturday September 2."
Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, founder of Believe in Scotland said: “I am really looking forward to hearing from Brian, he is one of the world's most respected actors and a real champion of Scotland, its independence and our people.
"The lineup for the rally with leading politicians, Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP and world-class entertainers like Brian and Iona Fyfe mixed in with grassroots activists demonstrates the diversity of our movement and the appeal of Believe in Scotland and Yes for EU’s first march and rally together.
Humza Yousaf welcomed the announcement of Cox’s attendance, commenting: “I am calling on all independence supporters to come together. Let’s make this rally one of the biggest and the best our cause has ever seen.”
Several high-profile guests are due to speak at the event, including Yousaf, minister for independence Jamie Hepburn MSP, Greens co-leader and minister for circular economy Lorna Slater, author and National columnist Lesley Riddoch, and MacIntyre-Kemp. Folk singer Fyfe is also set to perform.
In an interview with Nicola Sturgeon at last year’s Edinburgh TV Festival, Dundee-born Cox spoke about his excitement at Labour’s landslide election victory in 1997.
He said that he was “passionate about socialism” but expressed his disappointment that the party then “systematically blew it”.
“Iraq was the thing that really did me in, and Tony Blair’s hubris over Iraq I just thought was awful”, Cox explained.
He has also previously clashed with current Labour leader Keir Starmer, telling him that "Scotland has always been sidelined".
Believe in Scotland have put a call out for steward volunteers (volunteer here) and participants are asked to assemble for the march at Johnston Terrace by Edinburgh Castle at 1.30pm. The rally will then be held at the Scottish Parliament.
