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.
READ MORE: Scottish Government to set out how it'll use £20m indyref2 fund
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.”
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