Sir Sean Connery pulls out of festival interview due to `difficult questions`

Sir Sean Connery has pulled out of the Festival of Politics in Edinburgh, after comments made by Holyrood Presiding Officer George Reid.

The former James Bond star was scheduled to be interviewed by Mr Reid at the event in August.

Sir Sean made the decision after Mr Reid said he would question the actor about claims that he had defended the occasional need to slap a woman - reports the BBC.

Mr Reid had told a magazine he intended to ask him "difficult questions".

Sir Sean said such "unacceptable" comments had compromised the interview.

The veteran actor and Scottish National Party supporter made comments in Playboy magazine in 1975 that appeared to condone violence against women.

He was also quoted in a US magazine in 1993 as saying: "To slap a woman is not the cruellest thing you can do to her."

He has always insisted his views have been completely misrepresented.

Sir Sean was to have been interviewed in front of an audience by the presiding officer.

The actor spoke to Mr Reid on the phone earlier this week and told him he would no longer be doing the event.

Former broadcaster Mr Reid, an SNP MSP who holds the politically neutral post of presiding officer, said he had accepted the decision with regret.

A parliament spokesman said: "The Scottish Parliament regrets to announce that Sir Sean Connery will not be appearing at the Festival of Politics in August.

"Sir Sean has said that he would be happy to work with the parliament in the future, but has informed us that recent 'unacceptable' media coverage following the presiding officer's remarks on the format of the event has compromised the interview."

About 50 events are planned for the festival, which runs from 23 - 26 August.

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