New video ‘turning election into Scotland against England battle’

ALEX Salmond’s new party has been accused of trying to ‘ramp up division’ after it released a video urging Scots to unite against ‘English suppressors’.

Critics said the Alba Party was trying to make the election ‘a battle between Scotland and England’ following the controversial video voiced by the actor who played Robert the Bruce in Braveheart.

In the clip, which features the Robert the Bruce statue at the Bannockburn battle site near Stirling, and images from a hardline pro-independence rally in Edinburgh, actor Angus Macfadyen urges Scots to ‘prevail again’ like in 1314 when they ‘broke the spine of English superiority’.

But the video was attacked by an actor who played the Scots hero on a BBC Scotland documentary series, who branded Alba a ‘bigoted hateful vanity project of a party’.

Scottish Conservative candidate Annie

Wells said: ‘The mask has well and truly slipped when it comes to Alex Salmond’s new divisive nationalist venture.

‘This sort of language only appeals to the most extreme forms of nationalism and there is simply no place for it in our political discourse.

‘The last thing Scotland needs is nationalists trying to ramp up division against our close neighbours.

‘Only a vote for the Scottish Conservatives can stop the nationalists’ fresh drive for another referendum.’

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: ‘I first thought the Alba ad was a spoof, but sadly this is no joke.

‘Salmond is making it clear that for him and his colleagues this election is a battle between Scotland and England. Their campaign is 700 years out of date.’

Alba released the video after it secured the endorsement of Mr Macfadyen, who also starred in the Robert the Bruce film.

Labour’s Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: ‘The mask – barely held on with sticky tape and string – has clattered to the floor, revealing the unpleasantness of Alex Salmond’s mob.’

David Paisley, who played the Bruce in BBC Scotland’s series Rise of the Clans, said on social media: ‘This Robert the Bruce can categorically say he doesn’t support your bigoted, hateful vanity project of a party.’

He added: ‘I know Alba Party are seen as regressive, but I wasn’t expecting to be dragged back to the 1300s.’

Mr Salmond said: ‘These attacks from our opponents on our campaign video show scant regard for the history of Scotland.’