Highlander's TV outburst turns him into internet hit
A kilt-weating Highlander whose passionate outburst on BBC Question Time has turned him into a national online sensation said voting yes would be like "spitting on the grave of my mother’s father who fought for this country in the British Army".
Nigel Kirk Hanlin, dubbed by some as Braveheart of the Better Together campaign, told last night’s TV audience: "I was born in Inverness, I’m a passionate Highlander, and I love Scotland. I will take a stand to keep the United Kingdom together. I will give my life for my country as my grandfather did in the First World War."
It then got a bit shouty and ended with the bizarre dénouement "in the name of Jesus".
During the programme’s rehearsal Mr Hanlin, from Nairn, was also outspoken. The debate was centred around drugs and whether they should be legalised. Mr Hanlin said: "The Lord said there should be no drugs and I believe the Lord."
Another member of the audience replied: "wasn’t there wine on table at the last supper?"
The portrait artist’s attack on the Independence campaign is the talk of the town today.
He said: "I think I just sounded passionate about what I felt and I just sort of let it all come out." It was as easy and natural as swotting a fly off my arm."
Just a fortnight ago Mr Hanlin roused 10 people, including Moray Conservative councillor and MSP Mary Scanlon’s spokesman, Douglas Ross, and Scottish Labour Party prospective candidate Mike Robb, to a meeting at the Nairn Community Centre for a sing-song and a pro-Union rally.
