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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Scottish independence: Scottish Enterprise and Visit Scotland leave CBI | Scottish independence: Scottish Enterprise and Visit Scotland leave CBI |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Scottish government agencies Scottish Enterprise and Visit Scotland have quit business lobby organisation CBI after it formally backed the campaign against independence. | Scottish government agencies Scottish Enterprise and Visit Scotland have quit business lobby organisation CBI after it formally backed the campaign against independence. |
| A statement from Scottish Enterprise said CBI Scotland had taken a "political decision". | A statement from Scottish Enterprise said CBI Scotland had taken a "political decision". |
| It said it "had no choice but to immediately resign" from the CBI. | It said it "had no choice but to immediately resign" from the CBI. |
| Tourism body VisitScotland also said it was "appropriate to withdraw from the organisation" in light of the decision. | Tourism body VisitScotland also said it was "appropriate to withdraw from the organisation" in light of the decision. |
| A Scottish government spokesman said: "The CBI has registered as a campaign organisation for a No vote in the referendum. | |
| "In these circumstances, it is clearly inappropriate for government agencies to remain in membership of CBI." | "In these circumstances, it is clearly inappropriate for government agencies to remain in membership of 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. |
| Following its decision, Scottish firms Aquamarine Power and the Balhousie care home group announced they were quitting the business industry organisation, which is the leading body in the UK representing large employers | Following its decision, Scottish firms Aquamarine Power and the Balhousie care home group announced they were quitting the business industry organisation, which is the leading body in the UK representing large employers |
| On Saturday, broadcaster STV said rules on impartiality meant it had "no choice" but to resign from the organisation. | On Saturday, broadcaster STV said rules on impartiality meant it had "no choice" but to resign from the organisation. |
| Other CBI members are expected to consider their position next week, among them Glasgow Caledonian University. | Other CBI members are expected to consider their position next week, among them Glasgow Caledonian University. |
| The university said it would "continue to maintain its neutral stance in the Scottish independence referendum debate" and its position would be considered by the executive board on Tuesday. | The university said it would "continue to maintain its neutral stance in the Scottish independence referendum debate" and its position would be considered by the executive board on Tuesday. |
| Responding to the withdrawals, 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 withdrawals, 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. |
| "As the UK's biggest business group, our members employ around half a million people in Scotland, which gives us a significant voice in the referendum debate." | "As the UK's biggest business group, our members employ around half a million people in Scotland, which gives us a significant voice in the referendum debate." |
| 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." | 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." |