Sean Connery’s widow has dismissed claims she is facing a £21 million fine over alleged tax fraud in Spain as ‘nonsense’.
Micheline Roquebrune, 91, denies any involvement in a scam over the sale of the couple’s Marbella home, in a case which saw Bond star Connery’s lawyers jailed in 2016.
It comes as Micheline revealed that Connery’s ashes are to be scattered in the country of his birth.
The Edinburgh-born actor – who had Scotland Forever tattooed on his arm when he was a young sailor – died nine days ago at the age of 90.
Micheline said that even though the Bond star had lived overseas for many years, his ‘final wish’ was to return home.
He is to be cremated at a private service in the Bahamas and some of his ashes will be scattered on the island. The rest will be taken to Scotland when Covid restrictions are eased.
Sir Sean, who had battled dementia in his final years, died peacefully in his sleep with his wife and close family around him.
However, Spanish authorities have insisted the long-running case has ‘not gone away’.
They say they intend to notify Micheline of the indictment so a trial can take place.
Sir Sean Connery’s widow Micheline has said that even though the Bond star had lived overseas for many years, his ‘final wish’ was to return home
A source told The Sun today: ‘Formal requests have been sent twice to the Bahamas to notify Micheline about the prosecution indictment and the court-ordered trial against her, but Spanish officials have yet to receive a reply.’
Connery was told in 2014 he would not face trial for the sale of their home in 1999. It was demolished to make way for 70 flats despite rules saying only five could be built.
But, as well as the actor’s lawyers, the mayor of Marbella and six councillors were jailed for the scam.
A judge decided French-born Micheline should face trial and could face a huge fine if found guilty of tax fraud.
But she has dismissed the allegations as ‘nonsense’.
Earlier, she revealed how Bond star Connery would ‘return home’.
Last week, speaking from the couple’s luxury home at Lyford Cay, Nassau, Mrs Connery said: ‘We are going to bring Sean back to Scotland – that was his final wish. He wanted his ashes to be scattered in the Bahamas and also in his homeland.’
The 91-year-old Moroccan-French painter, who was married to the actor for nearly half a century, intends to carry out his wishes at the earliest opportunity.
She said: ‘Whenever it is possible and safe to travel again, then it is the family’s intention to return to Scotland with him.
‘We would like to organise a memorial service for him in Scotland – that is our hope. But we cannot say when this will happen exactly.
‘Sean will be cremated at a private service in the Bahamas and his ashes will be kept until we can travel. We do not know when this will be possible.’
Last week, she paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, saying: ‘He was gorgeous and we had a wonderful life together. He was a model of a man.’
She revealed how, latterly, he had been ravaged by dementia, saying: ‘He was not able to express himself. It was not a life.
‘I was with him all the time and he died very peacefully in his sleep.
Connery – who had Scotland Forever tattooed on his arm when he was a young sailor – died nine days ago at the age of 90
‘He just slipped away and we were there with him all the way.’ A memorial thanksgiving service in Edinburgh would allow Sir Sean’s brother Neil, who lives in the city, to pay his respects to his only sibling.
The 82-year-old has recently suffered poor health.
It has not been confirmed where in Scotland Sir Sean’s ashes will be scattered. One option would be in the capital, where he grew up and took his first job as a milkman.
His childhood home was demolished decades ago, but Sir Sean retained a lifelong affection for the Fountainbridge area of the city.
Other possibilities include the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where he received his treasured knighthood from the Queen in July 2000 while dressed resplendently in dark green MacLeod tartan.
The Palace option would mean seeking Royal permission, but the star was a friend of the Princess Royal.
If the decision is based on beauty and solitude, then both Crinan and Lochgilphead may be considered.
The Argyll locations were used during filming for 1963’s 007 classic From Russia With Love – Sir Sean’s second outing in the role of James Bond.
‘We’d like to organise a memorial service for him’
LIve and Let Buy: Connery’s 007 gun for sale for £150,000
A handgun used by the late Sir Sean Connery in the first James Bond film will go under the hammer at a Hollywood auction house next month.
The semi-automatic Walther PP pistol, which alongside the smaller PPK helped define the 007 image, is estimated to sell for between £114,158 and £152,237.
Sir Sean, who died last month in the Bahamas at the age of 90, used the deactivated model during his debut as the fictional spy in 1962’s Dr No.
His performance set the jobbing actor and former milkman on a path to Hollywood stardom.
Handgun used by the late Sir Sean Connery in the first James Bond film will go under the hammer at a Hollywood auction house next month
The semi-automatic Walther PP pistol, which alongside the smaller PPK helped define the 007 image, is estimated to sell for between £114,158 and £152,237
One of two used during production, the gun has been identified by the original film armourer, Bapty, which held it in an archive until an auction in 2006.
The gun features in a sale of 500 pieces of Hollywood memorabilia, which also include a helmet worn by Tom Cruise in Top Gun and a black leather motorcycle jacket worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator
Stars including Robert De Niro, Kevin Costner, Sir Michael Caine, Daniel Craig, George Lazenby, Pierce Brosnan and Harrison Ford paid tribute to Sir Sean following his death last month.
Julien’s Auctions’ Icons & Idols Trilogy: Hollywood takes place on December 3.