The leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) Alex Salmond was embroiled in an extraordinary diplomatic row yesterday with Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary-General, over claims by the First Minister that Mr Annan will visit Scotland as part of the year of Homecoming to give a lecture on Robert Burns.

The Scottish Times was told by Mr Annan's representatives in Britain that he has not made such a promise and that, while he will travel to Scotland this year, it will be to deliver a lecture on the economist Adam Smith at the invitation of Gordon Brown.

The difference of opinion is acutely embarrassing for the SNP, which had pointed to Mr Annan's apparent agreement to deliver a speech on Burns as one of the highlights of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations.

The First Minister referred to it in a speech on Saturday night as an example of the “power of Robert Burns”, while his spokesman claimed that it demonstrated how “committed” Mr Annan was to Scotland.

Alex Salmond was embroiled in an extraordinary diplomatic row yesterday with Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary-General, over claims by the First Minister that Mr Annan will visit Scotland as part of the year of Homecoming to give a lecture on Robert Burns.

The Times was told by Mr Annan's representatives in Britain that he has not made such a promise and that, while he will travel to Scotland this year, it will be to deliver a lecture on the economist Adam Smith at the invitation of Gordon Brown.

The difference of opinion is acutely embarrassing for the SNP, which had pointed to Mr Annan's apparent agreement to deliver a speech on Burns as one of the highlights of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations.

The First Minister referred to it in a speech on Saturday night as an example of the “power of Robert Burns”, while his spokesman claimed that it demonstrated how “committed” Mr Annan was to Scotland.

Last night the dispute over exactly what Mr Annan had offered to do led to claim and counter-claim after Mr Annan's spokeswoman said that the former Secretary-General was seeking a correction from the government.

“There has been some misinformation and Mr Annan would appreciate a correction. We are irritated by this and it is a question of clarification.” The spokeswoman added: “Mr Annan will be travelling to Scotland but his lecture has nothing to do with this Homecoming thing.”

At the centre of the row are remarks which Mr Salmond made at an inaugural Burns supper in Alloway, Burns's birthplace, on Saturday night to start the Homecoming celebrations. The First Minister told more than 100 guests: “I'm able ... to annnounce tonight what I think is something quite special, because I have a letter from Kofi Annan in which he requests, if it would be appropriate, that he could come and deliver a lecture during the Year of Homecoming in tribute to Robert Burns.

“It's an offer which we have been delighted to accept but it's a sign, a symbol, of the power of Robert Burns that the former Secretary-General of the United Nations actually writes to offer a lecture as a contribution to our Year of Homecoming.

“We should accept, and will accept, Kofi Annan's offer with alacrity but it's a tribute not just to Kofi Annan's grace but also to Robert Burns.”

The Times, in common with the Press Association national news agency, reported that Mr Annan would visit Scotland as part of the Homecoming celebrations to deliver a lecture on Burns. The Press Association quoted Mr Salmond's spokesman as saying: “It shows just how committed Kofi Annan is to Scotland and Robert Burns that he has offered to come to Scotland to deliver a public lecture.”

It was the story in the Scotland edition of yesterday's Times which led to the protest by Mr Annan's spokeswoman, who said that she was speaking with the authority of Ruth McCoy, Mr Annan's chief of staff in his Geneva office.

When The Times contacted Mr Salmond's office asking for clarification we were told by a senior aide: “Everything that was reported in The Times was absolutely accurate.

“Kofi Annan was invited to Homecoming celebrations and Burns celebrations. He was unable to attend this weekend because of prior commitments. He wrote to the First Minister in a letter sent from Geneva on December 18 and said ‘I would like to inform you that I would like to travel to Scotland to deliver a speech later in the year'.”

When The Times pointed out that that response made no mention of Homecoming Scotland or Burns, the aide replied: “It was in the context of the invitation that was extended ... it was clearly in the context of Homecoming.” The aide continued: “We have been dealing with officials at the highest level in Kofi Annan's office in London to discuss the invitation which was extended and dates are being discussed.”

Downing Street confirmed last night that Mr Annan had accepted an invitation to deliver the Adam Smith lecture at Fife College in Kirkcaldy, which is in Mr Brown's constituency. The Prime Minister is also chancellor of the college and No 10 said that the lecture was not connected with Homecoming Scotland.

Labour called on the First Minister to apologise over the row. Anne McGuire, the MP for Stirling, said: “It shows breathtaking cynicism to misuse the name and reputation of Kofi Annan in this way. Alex Salmond must apologise.”

David Mundell, the Conservative Shadow Scottish Secretary, said: “This is all too typical of the SNP and Alex Salmond must clarify the situation.The SNP must not be seen to be misrepresenting or embarrassing such a figure of importance and stature as Kofi Annan.”