Only Blofeld could approve of this villainy

SIR Sean Connery is one of Scotland and Edinburgh's most famous sons, an actor acknowledged throughout the world as being the Bond, the man who put the shhh into shaken not stirred.

Although his political attachment to the Scottish National Party has at times been contentious, and his tax affairs have attracted criticism, it would be churlish not to accept that a Scot with such worldwide renown should be recognised in the city of his birth.

It is disappointing, then, that an attempt to name a new road near the site of Sir Sean's birthplace in Edinburgh has been thwarted by the city council because, well, the 79-year-old actor is not dead.

The idea that being alive disqualifies you from recognition in your home city seems a pettifogging piece of petty pen-pushing bureaucracy.

Imagine a Bond film based on this situation, the part of the baddie taken by officious city bureaucrat, Scold-finger.

Bond: "I think that's enough, Scold-finger, you've made your point about naming of roads."

Scold-finger: "Choose your next witticism wisely, Mr Bond, it may be your last."

Bond: "Do you expect me to plead before my name goes on that plate near my birthplace?"

Scold-finger: "No Mr Bond I expect you to die!"