By Brian Taylor Political editor, BBC Scotland

Presiding Officer George Reid had said he would ask difficult questions

Not infrequently, he's known for his adherence to the cause of Scottish independence: he has been a regular and generous donor to the SNP.

But, more than once, Sir Sean Connery has attracted attention for reported comments about the supposed justice of administering physical retribution to females. Suggesting, in short, that women need slapping from time to time.

Sir Sean, himself, has repeatedly said that such comments have been completely misinterpreted and utterly taken out of context.

Which brings us to his scheduled appearance at the Festival of Politics.

He told Holyrood Magazine, he would not be a patsy supplicant at the throne of Sir Sean

This festival, held in the Scottish Parliament, is only in its second year, an infant sibling of the grander events which dominate Edinburgh in August.

Parliament's Presiding Officer George Reid was due to interview Sir Sean as part of this year's festival.

Not surprisingly, this event was given star billing.

Mr Reid is not just a senior politician. He too has a past. He was, previously, a respected broadcaster, majoring in politics and current affairs.

As an interviewer, then, he has a reputation - albeit now a relatively distant one - to maintain.

And so, he told Holyrood Magazine, he would not be a patsy supplicant at the throne of Sir Sean.

He intended to ask "difficult questions". This would be "a BBC interview", drawing upon his past skills.

In particular, he would ask Sir Sean about reported comments to the effect that "a slap never did a woman any harm, for example".

'Unacceptable media'

When Sir Sean learned about this, I understand he was furious - and determined to pull out instantly.

He was prevailed upon to think again - but has concluded that he cannot continue with the festival gig.

In a statement, the Scottish Parliament noted that decision with regret.

There was a slightly emollient tone in that the star is apparently happy to work with Holyrood in the future.

But the "unacceptable" media coverage following the presiding officer's remarks had "compromised the interview". Sir Sean is a no show.

How to interpret this? Well, firstly, Sir Sean Connery is now 75 and has done pretty well everything there is to be done in the media and film world. He doesn't need the Festival of Politics.

Nationalist-backer Sir Sean Connery with SNP leader Alex Salmond

Secondly, he is occasionally - how to put this delicately - rather crotchety. Yes, that's a good word. Crotchety. Crabbit, even.

Perhaps used to the tender ministrations of a movie studio system, he can respond rather bluntly when challenged or questioned.

It is, therefore, no particular surprise that he turns away when it is signalled to him, in advance and in print, that he faces a public grilling over his past life and presumed attitudes to women.

Equally, though, see this from George Reid's point. He has a past reputation as an inquisitional broadcaster.

He has a present-day standing as a neutral presiding officer, prising out the truth wherever it may be found in the machinations and manipulations of politics.

What was he meant to do when facing Sir Sean Connery? Ask him about the flight over? The climate at his home?

'Embarrassing situation'

Wicked onlookers (yes, they do exist) would have muttered: "Aha, George is reverting to his Nationalist past. He's giving Connery an easy time."

From Mr Reid's perspective, though, it might have been wiser to keep his intentions to himself.

It might, on balance, have been better to reserve the bold, confrontational front for the interview itself, once the star was in the building and seated.

It's all a bit embarrassing, I suppose. For the Presiding Officer. Fractionally, for Sir Sean, in that it revives old allegations.

Although, I imagine, he'll get over it somehow. As will Mr Reid.

And what about the Festival of Politics itself - which has suffered a knock-back.