I question aspects of monarchy, admits Brian Cox CBE

Published on 26/05/2012 00:00

HOLLYWOOD actor and Yes Scotland celebrity backer Brian Cox voiced concerns about the SNP’s pro-monarchy stance after yesterday’s pro-independence campaign launch.

The Dundee-born actor, who is also known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, told The Scotsman that he would “question some aspects of the monarchy” when asked whether he opposed the SNP position of keeping the Queen as head of state in an independent Scotland.

Mr Cox, who was awarded a CBE by the Queen, said: “I just want to get independence and then we can think about these issues. I have a personal preference and I would question some aspects of the monarchy. I have a CBE and reasons to thank the monarchy, but these issues are things that the people of Scotland can decide on later on.”

Mr Cox, a former Labour supporter who backed the SNP at the last Holyrood elections, had used the launch to describe himself as a “democratic socialist” as he talked about his support for left-wing politics.

However, the actor would not say whether he wanted Scotland to be part of the Nato nuclear pact, after it emerged the SNP had scrapped its plans to hold a highly contentious vote that could have seen the party end its long-standing opposition to an independent Scotland joining Nato.

First Minister Alex Salmond refused to say whether he favoured the SNP changing its stance on Nato as he said “party policy is party policy”.