Brian Cox ‘proud’ of Scotland’s gender identification law and defends JK Rowling

The 76-year-old Scottish actor, who previously spoke about his support for the SNP, also opened up about his views on the country’s independence while appearing on BBC One’s Sundays with Laura Kuenssberg programme.

He told the political broadcaster: “I’m very, very proud of Scotland for passing the Gender Identification Act because I think it’s a long time coming and it’s a debate that needs to happen.

“And I question the 16 thing, but that’s my personal feeling, but I feel like we need to deal with that, and I think that’s absolutely right.”

Cox spoke just after Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said he had “concerns” that 16 was too young to decide on a gender change.

The Gender Recognition Reform Act (Scotland), passed by MSPs, authorized reforms that would allow trans people to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) without the need for a medical diagnosis.

The bill will also allow 16- and 17-year-olds to apply for a GRC for the first time and would reduce the time a person must live in their acquired gender before being able to obtain the document.

Cox also said that he thinks people are a bit overbearing when it comes to Harry Potter author Rowling’s views on transgender rights.

He added: “I don’t like the way she was treated.

“Actually, I think she has the right to say what she thinks, she has the right to say what (she feels), as a woman she does have the right to say what she feels about her own body.

“So I feel like, honestly, people were a little bit high and mighty about their stance on JK Rowling.”

He also said Britain needed to “rethink” itself as a nation as the “economy has shrunk” and there has been a loss of power in the world.

Cox said: “I think since the death of our wonderful Queen we’ve had to consider the monarchy and we see it in relation to what happened in the book, spare the Harry situation, so there’s a lot of massive rethinking that has to be done.”

In The Duke of Sussex’s memoir, he expresses his frustration at being the ‘heir to the heir’, his anger at the British media, his unresolved trauma over his mother’s death, his mental health issues, his lonely life before meeting him Meghan and the breakdown of his family ties.

Cox also called First Minister Nicola Sturgeon “very smart” when she tried to get another referendum on Scottish independence.

Commenting on Scotland’s exit from the UK, Cox said: “My relationship with Scottish independence is very different and I don’t think this is a UK breakup.

“I think it could be a different type of unit. I wish for a United Federation where each country can develop its self-reliance and sense of autonomy and as a result contribute to a United Federation where everyone comes together.

“Right now it’s top-heavy because it’s very self-centered and I feel like that needs to change, that needs to change.”