December 12, 2002
The Express
Film actor 'punched me in face' as I tried to take photo
by Ruairi O'Kane

A RISING young actor is at the centre of a police investigation after being involved in a bust-up with a photographer yesterday on the set of Dougray Scott's latest film.

Iain Robertson, 21, who featured in Plunkett and MacLeane, is accused of punching the photographer as he left the set of The Bum's Rush. The incident is said to have been witnessed by the Mission Impossible II star, who bundled the actor into a car before police could act. Photographer, Andrew Milligan, 26, said he was punched in the face by the actor, who was leaving to take a lunch break.

Following the incident, Mr Milligan, from Bridge of Allan, said he approached police overseeing the filming on the streets of Stirling, to make a complaint.

He said: "I was simply standing on the street waiting for the actors to come out for their lunch break because I was not allowed on set. I spied Dougray coming out alongside Iain, who was wearing a cowboy hat.

"Even though I was on a public street, I asked if it was OK if I took some pictures and Dougray did not seem to mind. But the next thing I knew, Iain took the hat off and I thought he was going to make a gesture to the camera.

"As I got ready to take the shot, I suddenly could not see anything so dropped the camera down and he hit me on the upper lip. I was really shocked and did not know what to do. There were police standing by but he got into a car and went off. Even Dougray seemed surprised at what happened."

The Fife-born superstar was seen by onlookers and watching police chastise his co-star as he lead him to a waiting vehicle.

Dougray shouted at Robertson: "What the hell did you do that for?"

The actors had been filming scenes from the movie at an antique shop.

Central Scotland Police officers were seen entering the shop shortly after the incident to investigate the assault allegations.

They were believed to be trying to trace witnesses to the incident and are understood to be interviewing a number of the cast members including Scott himself. The Bum's Rush is a comedy adventure produced by Hollywood heart-throb Scott, and also stars Trainspotting actor Kevin McKidd.

Govan-born Robertson was once described by film critic Barry Norman as 'the best thing to come out of Scotland since whisky'.

Last night the actor was quizzed by police officers at Stirling's Randolph St headquarters. He was hauled off set by irate production officials and did not return for the afternoon's filming. An on set insider said: "The official line is that Iain was not required for the next few scenes.

"But in reality he is in hot water over this one. It was unbelievable to do something like that in front of Dougray and the police. Dougray is livid."

A spokeswoman for Central Scotland Police said: "A 21-year-old man will be subject to a report to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to the incident."

Copyright 2002 EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS