UK parties used a “particular form of Westminster blackmail” during the 2014 independence referendum, a renowned Scottish actor has claimed.
Peter Mullan – who is known for his roles in everything from Braveheart and Trainspotting to Westworld and the Rings of Power – made the comments in an interview with The Guardian on Monday.
Speaking alongside his partner Robyn Malcolm about their new drama After the Party, the Peterhead-born actor got onto the issue of independence.
He told The Guardian: “It was a very particular form of Westminster blackmail that dates right back to the earliest days of the British empire, ‘If you leave us, we will bankrupt you. There will be a hard border’.
“And most insultingly of all, ‘If you leave us, you’ll have to leave Europe’.”
The comments from Mullan come one week after he made headlines with criticism of BBC Scotland.
Callin for greater working-class representation on TV, Mullan accused BBC Scotland of doing "next to nothing" about "Scottish history, the Scottish experience or Scottish lives".
“I can’t think of any major ones that have been made in the last decade, let alone any that were good,” he said.
“The Scots haven’t got an equivalent of Happy Valley – and they should have.”
Ahead of the 2014 referendum, Mullan was a supporter of a Yes vote.
Speaking to the Metro in 2012, he was asked: “Are you for Better Together or Yes Scotland?”
Mullan said: “Oh, I’m for total independence. I’ve been in touch with the people who are organising the Scottish independence campaign. I’ve offered my services but we haven’t managed to meet up yet.
“I said I will do whatever is required to help promote an independent Scotland.”
