A furious row has broken out between Sir Sean Connery and the First Minister Jack McConnell. Mr McConnell wanted to meet Sir Sean at the annual Tartan Day celebrations in New York next week in an effort to promote Scotland abroad - but it has emerged the former 007 has snubbed his request.

The two men may have presented a united front at Tartan Day 2002 - but now it seems Sean Connery is playing Dr No when it comes to Jack McConnell's advances. During this year's celebrations, which take place in New York next week, the First Minister had wanted to meet up with the former James Bond to discuss ways of promoting Scotland abroad. He was turned down.

It is understood Connery's angry at the way he was used in promoting a previous Ryder Cup bid - and has since refused any further approaches from the Executive. The Scot is a well known SNP supporter and this latest snub has drawn stinging criticism from one source close to the First Minister, who said: "It appears that Sir Sean is under pressure from the SNP and is putting his political interests before Scotland's interests."

But today, that accusation was rubbished by the star's political allies.

John Swinney MSP, leader of the SNP said: "Sir Sean has done a tremendous amount to promote Scotland and ensure Scotland is known world-wide. He's so associated with Scotland, I think it's important he gets treated with a bit of respect which is not a description you could attribute to some of the statements being made by the First Minister's office in this mornings newspapers."

While this spat threatens to overshadow them, participants on both sides of the Atlantic are continuing to prepare for the big day next Tuesday.