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| Scottish independence: STV quits CBI over referendum stance | Scottish independence: STV quits CBI over referendum stance |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Broadcaster STV has become the latest company to leave the CBI after the employers' body formally backed the campaign against Scottish independence. | Broadcaster STV has become the latest company to leave the CBI after the employers' body formally backed the campaign against Scottish independence. |
| In a statement, STV said rules on impartiality meant it had "no choice" but to resign from the organisation. | In a statement, STV said rules on impartiality meant it had "no choice" but to resign from the organisation. |
| It comes the day after Aquamarine Power and the Balhousie care home group also announced they were quitting the CBI. | It comes the day after Aquamarine Power and the Balhousie care home group also announced they were quitting the CBI. |
| The CBI said it was confident the "vast majority" of its membership agreed with its stance on independence. | The CBI said it was confident the "vast majority" of its membership agreed with its stance on independence. |
| It has registered with the Electoral Commission as a backer of the pro-Union campaign. | It has registered with the Electoral Commission as a backer of the pro-Union campaign. |
| The registration as a non-party participant allows it to spend up to £150,000 on campaigning during the regulated period from 30 May until the referendum on 18 September. | The registration as a non-party participant allows it to spend up to £150,000 on campaigning during the regulated period from 30 May until the referendum on 18 September. |
| However, it is understood the CBI - which is the leading body in the UK representing large employers - has no money earmarked to influence the campaign. | However, it is understood the CBI - which is the leading body in the UK representing large employers - has no money earmarked to influence the campaign. |
| Confirming that STV had resigned its membership, a spokeswoman for the Glasgow-based broadcaster said: "STV is a public service broadcaster with a duty of impartiality and as such we have no corporate or editorial position on the independence referendum in September. | Confirming that STV had resigned its membership, a spokeswoman for the Glasgow-based broadcaster said: "STV is a public service broadcaster with a duty of impartiality and as such we have no corporate or editorial position on the independence referendum in September. |
| "In light of CBI Scotland's decision to register with the Electoral Commission we have no choice but to resign our membership of CBI Scotland forthwith." | "In light of CBI Scotland's decision to register with the Electoral Commission we have no choice but to resign our membership of CBI Scotland forthwith." |
| Responding to the earlier withdrawals of Aquamarine and Balhousie, a CBI spokesman said: "While any member deciding to leave is a cause for regret, the CBI is confident we have a mandate from the vast majority of our membership on the question of Scottish independence." | Responding to the earlier withdrawals of Aquamarine and Balhousie, a CBI spokesman said: "While any member deciding to leave is a cause for regret, the CBI is confident we have a mandate from the vast majority of our membership on the question of Scottish independence." |
| But in an open letter to CBI Scotland chief executive Iain McMillan, which was released on Friday, Select - which represents 1,250 engineering companies - said: " "In taking this action you do not reflect our views." | |
| The letter added: "The owners of our member companies and their employees, like the rest of the Scottish population, cover the full range of political affiliations. | The letter added: "The owners of our member companies and their employees, like the rest of the Scottish population, cover the full range of political affiliations. |
| "We are agreed that the way in which each and every person associated with Select votes is a matter for them alone." | "We are agreed that the way in which each and every person associated with Select votes is a matter for them alone." |