Author thinks Rebus would vote ‘no’

Crime writer Ian Rankin has told First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that his most famous character, Inspector John Rebus, would vote “no” in a referendum on independence.

Rankin, 59, made the admission while being interviewed by the SNP politician about his books at the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival in Stirling.

The topic of Rebus’s politics was raised during a Q&A session with audience members at the city’s Albert Halls venue.

A woman in the balcony, said: “I was just wanting to ask Ian. Rebus – aye or no?”

Rankin replied: “I think I might have answered this in one of the books, I can’t remember – he’s only voted three times in his life, for three different parties.”

However when Miss Sturgeon challenged the author, saying “that’s a politician’s answer”, he returned to the questioner.

He said: “I think Rebus, if you’re talking about yes or no to independence, which I assume you are, and not Brexit, the thing about Rebus is Rebus likes the status quo.

“He fears change, he doesn’t like change, and is very set in his ways. “I think he would be a ‘no’.” Rankin, whose answer brought gasps from some audience members, added: “But in balance, (Detective Sergeant) Siobhan Clarke would be a ‘yes’ and (Inspector) Malcolm Fox would be right down the middle, weighing them all up, waiting to decide how’s it all going to go.”

Miss Sturgeon, a voracious reader of Tartan Noir crime fiction and fan of the Rebus novels, said: “I think Rebus would have voted yes in the independence referendum and leave in the Brexit.”

Rankin added: “I can’t think of Rebus as a Brexiteer.”

Rankin praised the first minister for her passion for books, however.

He told her: “You are a voracious reader and you do share that love for reading on Twitter and elsewhere, and I take my hat off to you because I don’t know how you find time to do it.

“I think it’s just great that we’ve got somebody in charge in Scotland who does like to read, who’s passionate about books.

“We need the next generation.”

Picture: PA. Crime writer Ian Rankin was speaking during a Q&A with Nicola Sturgeon.