Sir Sean Connery tells of knighthood wrangling

Sir Sean Connery has revealed how Labour MPs tried to block his knighthood because of his support for the SNP, it was reported today, reports the Scotsman.

In his memoirs, being serialised, Sir Sean says the proposal for him to be knighted had been rejected by then Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar because of his long-standing support of the Nationalists.

Former Labour minister Peter Mandelson later called the Edinburgh-born actor to say there had been a "misunderstanding" and he was eventually knighted in July 2000.

Mr Connery also revealed his initial critical view of the new Scottish Parliament building was soon replaced by admiration for what he branded a "remarkable complex of buildings" at Holyrood.

In his book, he writes how he became interested in politics in the mid-Sixties.

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