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BCC boss resigns over 'Brexit' support | BCC boss resigns over 'Brexit' support |
(35 minutes later) | |
The director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, John Longworth, has resigned after being suspended for saying the UK's long-term prospects could be "brighter" outside the EU. | |
The BCC said Mr Longworth had accepted his support for leaving the EU was "likely to create confusion". | The BCC said Mr Longworth had accepted his support for leaving the EU was "likely to create confusion". |
He revealed his support for "Brexit" at the BCC annual conference on Thursday. | He revealed his support for "Brexit" at the BCC annual conference on Thursday. |
The BCC said Mr Longworth had breached the group's official position of neutrality on the referendum. | The BCC said Mr Longworth had breached the group's official position of neutrality on the referendum. |
BCC president Nora Senior said the organisation was "non-partisan" and had decided not to campaign for either side in the forthcoming UK referendum on EU membership. | |
She added: "John Longworth and the BCC board recognise that John's personal view on the referendum is likely to create confusion regarding the BCC's neutral stance going forward. | |
"In light of this, John has taken the decision to step down as director general and his resignation has been accepted by the board with effect from 6 March 2016." | |
She stressed that his resignation was "agreed mutually between Mr Longworth and the BCC Board, and there were no external factors involved". | |
'Tough choice' | |
At the conference, Mr Longworth said the EU referendum was a choice between the "devil and the deep blue sea". | |
He added that voters faced "undoubtedly a tough choice". | |
One option was staying in an "essentially unreformed EU", with the other being the uncertainty of leaving. | |
He said the very best place for the UK to be was in a reformed EU, but added: "I have come to the conclusion that the EU is incapable of meaningful reform, at least in the foreseeable future." | |
He said his comments had been made in a personal capacity. | |
EU referendum: All you need to know | |
His remarks and his subsequent suspension prompted a political outcry, with London mayor Boris Johnson and former defence secretary Liam Fox, both prominent campaigners for the UK to leave the EU, weighing in on his behalf. | |
Mr Johnson called Mr Longworth's treatment "scandalous", while Mr Fox said ministers should clarify "if they were involved in any way in putting pressure on" the BCC to suspend Mr Longworth. | |
Who is John Longworth? | |
Downing Street denied any pressure was put on the BCC to suspend its director general. | |
British voters will be asked on 23 June whether the UK should remain a member of the EU. | |
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. | |
Last month, an online poll of its members found 59.5% of more than 2,000 who responded preferred to remain in the EU and 30% said they would vote to leave. |