Maureen Lipman attacks casting of Helen Mirren as former Israeli PM Golda Meir

Actor says Meir's Jewishness is integral' to role and that Ben Kingsley would never be allowed' to play Nelson Mandela

Maureen Lipman has criticised the casting of Helen Mirren as Golda Meir in a forthcoming film about the former Israeli prime minister, saying that the character's Jewishness is integral".

In comments reported by the Jewish Chronicle, Lipman said she disagreed" with Mirren's casting. She added: I'm sure [Mirren] will be marvellous, but it would never be allowed for Ben Kingsley to play Nelson Mandela. You just couldn't even go there."