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Scotland's First Minister Henry McLeish has denied he was embarrassed by comments about Scottish independence made in a speech by Sir Sean Connery in the US.

The movie legend told an American audience that he looked forward to Scotland becoming fully independent, as Mr McLeish stood just 20ft away.

The former James Bond Star, wearing full Highland dress, was speaking at a ceremony on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, where he accepted an American award to mark Tartan Day in the US.

The First Minister remained expressionless as Edinburgh-born Connery extolled Scotland's virtues, telling dignitaries: "Scotland is blossoming once again - coming into its own and, I believe, soon to be an equal and independent member of the community of nations."

Sir Sean was given an award as part of Tartan Week

Sir Sean also quoted from the Declaration of Arbroath, the historic 1320 assertion of Scottish independence, which he said enshrined "the will of the Scottish people".

Referring to the US Declaration of Independence, Sir Sean told his American audience: "Almost half of the signatories to your declaration were Scots - and I can't wait for you to return the compliment."

Much of his speech, however, amounted to an appeal to Americans to visit Scotland, a message which Scottish ministers have been promoting in the US for the Tartan Week celebrations, in a bid to counter American fears of the impact of foot-and-mouth disease.

Mr McLeish applauded after Sir Sean's speech, and told the audience: "I see Scotland as a confident, competitive country but one in which there is an underlying commitment to the value of compassion and care for all her citizens."

Henry McLeish met George W. Bush while in the US

The closest Mr McLeish came to a political message was when he declared: "I see Scotland as a proud nation within the union that makes up the United Kingdom and within the larger European union."

Aides insisted later that Mr McLeish was not embarrassed by having to listen to Sir Sean's espousal of independence, and argued that the film star's views on this were well-known.

"His political views are no secret and no surprise to anyone, and he is entitled to those views," said Mr McLeish's official spokesman.

"What was far more important, and what the First Minister is very pleased about, was that Sir Sean Connery, in public and in America, echoed the message that Scotland is open for business.

"For the First Minister, to have Sir Sean Connery, a well-known Scot, stand up and give that message in public is what was important about the speech."