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EU referendum: Boris Johnson condemns BCC boss suspension | EU referendum: Boris Johnson condemns BCC boss suspension |
(about 1 hour later) | |
It is "scandalous" that the British Chambers of Commerce has suspended its director-general for his comments on the EU referendum, Boris Johnson says. | It is "scandalous" that the British Chambers of Commerce has suspended its director-general for his comments on the EU referendum, Boris Johnson says. |
John Longworth said on Thursday the UK's future could be "brighter" outside the EU - breaching the business group's official position of neutrality. | John Longworth said on Thursday the UK's future could be "brighter" outside the EU - breaching the business group's official position of neutrality. |
The London mayor, a Leave campaigner, said Mr Longworth had been "crushed by the agents of 'project fear'". | The London mayor, a Leave campaigner, said Mr Longworth had been "crushed by the agents of 'project fear'". |
Number 10 rejected suggestions that it put pressure on the BCC to suspend him. | |
British voters will be asked whether the UK should remain a member of the EU in a referendum on Thursday 23 June. | British voters will be asked whether the UK should remain a member of the EU in a referendum on Thursday 23 June. |
The BCC, which represents thousands of large, medium and small businesses, has said it will not campaign for either side in the referendum as its membership is split. | The BCC, which represents thousands of large, medium and small businesses, has said it will not campaign for either side in the referendum as its membership is split. |
All you need to know about the referendum | All you need to know about the referendum |
Referendum timeline: What will happen when? | Referendum timeline: What will happen when? |
Although he stressed that he was expressing his personal opinion, Mr Longworth said in a speech to the BCC's annual conference that the very best place for the UK to be was in a reformed EU. | Although he stressed that he was expressing his personal opinion, Mr Longworth said in a speech to the BCC's annual conference that the very best place for the UK to be was in a reformed EU. |
But he added: "I have come to the conclusion that the EU is incapable of meaningful reform, at least in the foreseeable future." | But he added: "I have come to the conclusion that the EU is incapable of meaningful reform, at least in the foreseeable future." |
Members were later told Mr Longworth had been temporarily suspended for breaching the group's official position of neutrality. | Members were later told Mr Longworth had been temporarily suspended for breaching the group's official position of neutrality. |
Analysis, by BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins | Analysis, by BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins |
Many of those working to leave the European Union present themselves as campaigners at odds with an overbearing establishment. | Many of those working to leave the European Union present themselves as campaigners at odds with an overbearing establishment. |
They will now ask whether anyone at Downing Street had any contact with the BCC before Mr Longworth's suspension, a question Number 10 sources have not yet been able to answer. | They will now ask whether anyone at Downing Street had any contact with the BCC before Mr Longworth's suspension, a question Number 10 sources have not yet been able to answer. |
Any proof that Mr Longworth had been silenced by powerful enemies would strengthen that narrative. | Any proof that Mr Longworth had been silenced by powerful enemies would strengthen that narrative. |
For now, no proof has been presented, and Mr Longworth - who has not commented - finds himself at the centre of an increasingly ill-tempered row. | For now, no proof has been presented, and Mr Longworth - who has not commented - finds himself at the centre of an increasingly ill-tempered row. |
In a statement on Saturday evening, Mr Johnson said it was "absolutely scandalous that John Longworth has been forced to step aside". | In a statement on Saturday evening, Mr Johnson said it was "absolutely scandalous that John Longworth has been forced to step aside". |
"This is a man who reached the conclusion - after long reflection and a lifetime's experience of business - that it would be better to Vote Leave. | "This is a man who reached the conclusion - after long reflection and a lifetime's experience of business - that it would be better to Vote Leave. |
"He speaks for the many small and medium sized businesses - the lifeblood of the economy - who cannot understand why they should comply with more and more regulation, over which this country has no democratic control." | "He speaks for the many small and medium sized businesses - the lifeblood of the economy - who cannot understand why they should comply with more and more regulation, over which this country has no democratic control." |
'Simply not true' | 'Simply not true' |
He added that it was not right that "when someone has the guts to dissent from the establishment line, he or she is immediately crushed by the agents of 'project fear'". | He added that it was not right that "when someone has the guts to dissent from the establishment line, he or she is immediately crushed by the agents of 'project fear'". |
The term "project fear" has been used by Leave supporters who accuse those backing the Remain camp of "scaremongering" about possible repercussions of the UK leaving the EU. | The term "project fear" has been used by Leave supporters who accuse those backing the Remain camp of "scaremongering" about possible repercussions of the UK leaving the EU. |
Meanwhile, the Sunday Telegraph reported that a friend of Mr Longworth claimed Downing Street had "bullied" and was "putting pressure" on BCC board members to suspend their director-general. | |
But a Downing Street source told the BBC Number 10 was as surprised by the news that Mr Longworth had been suspended as anyone, and strenuously denied any involvement in the BCC's decision. | But a Downing Street source told the BBC Number 10 was as surprised by the news that Mr Longworth had been suspended as anyone, and strenuously denied any involvement in the BCC's decision. |
"This is simply not true. This is a matter for the BCC. No pressure was put on the BCC to suspend John Longworth," the source said. | |
A source for the campaign group Britain Stronger In Europe told the BBC allegations from pro-Leave campaigners that it was using scare tactics were a smokescreen to avoid answering difficult questions, BBC correspondent Ross Hawkins said. | |
Who is John Longworth? | Who is John Longworth? |