Sir Sean Connery backs the Cod Crusaders in fish fight

12-Oct-2004 • Actor News

Sir Sean Connery has backed the Cod Crusaders' fight to win Scotland back control of its fishing industry. The James Bond star has signed a petition organised by the wives of Fraserburgh fishermen, reports the Daily Record (UK).

He was given the petition by SNP leader Alex Salmond, whose private member's bill to re- establish national control of fishing is due to come back to Westminster on Friday.

The actor said: 'I'm delighted to sign and endorse the petition of the Cod Crusaders. I've followed the remarkable campaign of Carol MacDonald and Morag Ritchie very closely.

'They have my full support, as do the other groups fighting for the fishing communities.

'There are few things which have made me angrier than when Alex sent me the copies of secret Government documents, released under the 30-year rule, which showed when the Tories took us into the Common Market in the 1970s they described the Scottish fishing industry as 'expendable' in negotiations.

'No Scottish communities, and no Scottish industry, should ever be treated in such a manner.'

Carol responded: 'It's a huge boost to the petition. He's one of 111,000 names on the petition but he's very special.'

The aim is to gather 150,000 names before presenting the petition to the Scottish, Westminster and European parliaments.

Thanks to `JP` for the alert.