This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27101266

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Scottish independence: University of Glasgow leaves CBI Scottish independence: Glasgow and Aberdeen universities leave CBI
(about 2 hours later)
The University of Glasgow has become the latest organisation to quit the CBI. Glasgow and Aberdeen universities have become the latest organisations to quit the CBI.
It comes after the business lobby group registered with the Electoral Commission as a backer of the pro-Union campaign in the Scottish independence referendum debate.It comes after the business lobby group registered with the Electoral Commission as a backer of the pro-Union campaign in the Scottish independence referendum debate.
The university said it had to resign its membership in order to "maintain impartiality". Glasgow University said it had to resign its membership in order to "maintain impartiality".
Aberdeen University said it would be inappropriate to continue as a member.
BBC Scotland understands Edinburgh University has also left the CBI.BBC Scotland understands Edinburgh University has also left the CBI.
Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen said it was not resigning from the CBI but that it remained "strictly neutral" on the referendum.
CBI director general John Cridland has been defending the decision to register with the Electoral Commission.CBI director general John Cridland has been defending the decision to register with the Electoral Commission.
'Strictly neutral'
He told the BBC he did not think the economic case for Scottish independence had been made, but said the body was not seeking to influence how people voted in the referendum.He told the BBC he did not think the economic case for Scottish independence had been made, but said the body was not seeking to influence how people voted in the referendum.
A spokesman for the University of Glasgow said: "As an institution we have a strictly neutral position on the independence debate.
"We have carefully considered the decision of CBI Scotland to register with the Electoral Commission and decided that in order to maintain our impartiality we must resign our membership forthwith."
Over the weekend, Scottish Enterprise, Visit Scotland and STV left the CBI.Over the weekend, Scottish Enterprise, Visit Scotland and STV left the CBI.
The Scottish government said it was "clearly inappropriate for government agencies to remain in membership of CBI."The Scottish government said it was "clearly inappropriate for government agencies to remain in membership of CBI."
CBI Scotland's registration with the Electoral Commission as a non-party participant allows it to spend up to £150,000 on referendum campaigning during the regulated period from 30 May until the referendum on 18 September.CBI Scotland's registration with the Electoral Commission as a non-party participant allows it to spend up to £150,000 on referendum 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 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 Group announced they were quitting the business industry organisation, which is the leading body in the UK representing large employers.
Broadcaster STV said rules on impartiality meant it had "no choice" but to resign from the organisation. 'Strictly neutral'
'Point of view' A spokesman for the University of Glasgow said: "As an institution we have a strictly neutral position on the independence debate.
"We have carefully considered the decision of CBI Scotland to register with the Electoral Commission and decided that in order to maintain our impartiality we must resign our membership forthwith."
A University of Aberdeen spokesman said: "The university does not take an institutional position on the constitutional future of Scotland.
"We believe that the role of a university is to inform the public debate through the contribution of its academic and research expertise."
A spokesman for Robert Gordon University said: "The purpose of the university's membership of the CBI is to assist in developing links with potential business partners. Such memberships are reviewed annually by the principal, in discussion with senior university officers.
"The university is strictly neutral in relation to the independence referendum, and does not approve of the CBI statement. However, we are not in the CBI in order to address Scottish independence."
CBI director general Mr Cridland told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The members of the CBI want the CBI to have a view, and that view is that it is a matter for the Scottish voter.CBI director general Mr Cridland told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The members of the CBI want the CBI to have a view, and that view is that it is a matter for the Scottish voter.
"We are not trying to campaign to influence the Scottish voter but we are a business organisation and on the business issues - jobs in Scotland, growth in Scotland, living standards in Scotland - we have a view. We don't think the economic case for independence has been made and we think the economy in Scotland and the economy of the United Kingdom is stronger together."We are not trying to campaign to influence the Scottish voter but we are a business organisation and on the business issues - jobs in Scotland, growth in Scotland, living standards in Scotland - we have a view. We don't think the economic case for independence has been made and we think the economy in Scotland and the economy of the United Kingdom is stronger together.
"We are not taking actions in an election but we do have a point of view.""We are not taking actions in an election but we do have a point of view."
'Compliance issue'
Defending the move, he said: "We have to operate within the law and the decision we took was that simply to do our normal activities on behalf of our members, including events and public statements between now and the referendum, we were advised that we needed to comply with the Electoral Commission's rules because we have a position on the issues.Defending the move, he said: "We have to operate within the law and the decision we took was that simply to do our normal activities on behalf of our members, including events and public statements between now and the referendum, we were advised that we needed to comply with the Electoral Commission's rules because we have a position on the issues.
"It is a compliance issue.""It is a compliance issue."
Mr Cridland expressed regret that some members had taken the decision to leave the CBI.Mr Cridland expressed regret that some members had taken the decision to leave the CBI.
He added: "I regret any CBI member leaving. That is a matter of considerable regret to me as chief executive. But I respect the fact that there are a variety of views. He added: "Nothing changed this weekend about CBI's position on the issue."
"Nothing changed this weekend about CBI's position on the issue. All that changed is that for compliance reasons, we decided that we needed to register to be on the right side of those regulations."
'Untenable position'
Balhousie chairman Tony Banks said the CBI took the decision without consulting its members. He has challenged the organisation to produce evidence that it has followed due democratic process.Balhousie chairman Tony Banks said the CBI took the decision without consulting its members. He has challenged the organisation to produce evidence that it has followed due democratic process.
Mr Banks, who chairs the pro-independence campaign Business For Scotland but has said his business is "neutral" in the independence debate, has predicted there will be more walkouts in the days ahead. Mr Banks, who chairs the pro-independence group Business For Scotland but has said his firm is "neutral" in the independence debate, said: "The CBI declaring for the 'No' campaign has put us all in an untenable position."
"The CBI declaring for the No campaign has put us all in an untenable position," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme.
"To maintain our neutrality we have to resign from the organisation.""To maintain our neutrality we have to resign from the organisation."
He added: "They believe they have a mandate from the council of CBI Scotland but I have spoken to council members who cannot remember this being discussed or voted upon. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, he added: "They believe they have a mandate from the council of CBI Scotland but I have spoken to council members who cannot remember this being discussed or voted upon.
"I would actually challenge the CBI to produce minutes and evidence of the fact that they have gone through a democratic process to come to this decision."I would actually challenge the CBI to produce minutes and evidence of the fact that they have gone through a democratic process to come to this decision.
"Businesses are now taking their time and reflecting on this decision, and when business is back to normal on Tuesday I'm sure we're going to see a number of other resignations from CBI Scotland.""Businesses are now taking their time and reflecting on this decision, and when business is back to normal on Tuesday I'm sure we're going to see a number of other resignations from CBI Scotland."
Other CBI members, including Glasgow Caledonian University, are expected to consider their position later this week.Other CBI members, including Glasgow Caledonian University, are expected to consider their position later this week.