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Scottish independence: More bodies leave CBI over referendum stance Scottish independence: More bodies leave CBI over referendum stance
(about 2 hours later)
Five more organisations have left the CBI over its stance in the Scottish independence debate.Five more organisations have left the CBI over its stance in the Scottish independence debate.
Several bodies had already quit the business group after it registered with the Electoral Commission as a backer of the "No" campaign.Several bodies had already quit the business group after it registered with the Electoral Commission as a backer of the "No" campaign.
The Law Society said it could not retain impartiality as a CBI member.The Law Society said it could not retain impartiality as a CBI member.
Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian universities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland have also now withdrawn.Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian universities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland have also now withdrawn.
CBI Scotland director Iain McMillan sits on the advisory board of Strathclyde University.CBI Scotland director Iain McMillan sits on the advisory board of Strathclyde University.
On Sunday, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh universities announced they had resigned from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which is the leading body in the UK representing large employers.On Sunday, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh universities announced they had resigned from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which is the leading body in the UK representing large employers.
Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University also expressed its disapproval at the decision to register with the Electoral Commission but chose to remain a member.Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University also expressed its disapproval at the decision to register with the Electoral Commission but chose to remain a member.
It followed the departure of broadcaster STV and two government agencies, Scottish Enterprise and Visit Scotland.It followed the departure of broadcaster STV and two government agencies, Scottish Enterprise and Visit Scotland.
'Non-partisan participant''Non-partisan participant'
CBI Scotland's registration with the 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 vote on 18 September.CBI Scotland's registration with the 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 vote on 18 September.
The lobby group has defended the move and said it was not seeking to influence how people voted in the referendum.The lobby group has defended the move and said it was not seeking to influence how people voted in the referendum.
Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society, said: "Over the last three years, the Law Society has been an active but firmly non-partisan participant in the debate on Scotland's future.Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society, said: "Over the last three years, the Law Society has been an active but firmly non-partisan participant in the debate on Scotland's future.
"We've asked difficult questions and raised issues that need addressed by both sides of the referendum campaign in order to better inform our members and the wider public."We've asked difficult questions and raised issues that need addressed by both sides of the referendum campaign in order to better inform our members and the wider public.
"We do not believe we could credibly retain our impartiality whilst being a member of and actively contributing to another organisation which is formally registered with the Electoral Commission to campaign for a no vote. That is why we have resigned from the CBI.""We do not believe we could credibly retain our impartiality whilst being a member of and actively contributing to another organisation which is formally registered with the Electoral Commission to campaign for a no vote. That is why we have resigned from the CBI."
A spokeswoman for the University of Strathclyde said: "The University of Strathclyde has reviewed its membership of CBI Scotland and has taken the decision to withdraw from the organisation."A spokeswoman for the University of Strathclyde said: "The University of Strathclyde has reviewed its membership of CBI Scotland and has taken the decision to withdraw from the organisation."
Glasgow Caledonian University said the CBI's decision was "incompatible with the university's neutrality".Glasgow Caledonian University said the CBI's decision was "incompatible with the university's neutrality".
A spokeswoman added: "GCU will, however, continue to provide a forum for open debate on the independence referendum."A spokeswoman added: "GCU will, however, continue to provide a forum for open debate on the independence referendum."
Campaign organisation
Highlands and Islands Enterprise said it was "inappropriate" to remain as a member of the CBI due to its own impartial political position.Highlands and Islands Enterprise said it was "inappropriate" to remain as a member of the CBI due to its own impartial political position.
A Skills Development Scotland spokeswoman said: "In light of the CBI's decision to register as a campaign organisation for a 'No' vote in the referendum, SDS has no option but to resign as a member."A Skills Development Scotland spokeswoman said: "In light of the CBI's decision to register as a campaign organisation for a 'No' vote in the referendum, SDS has no option but to resign as a member."
After news of the CBI's registration emerged last week, Scottish firms Aquamarine Power and the Balhousie Care Group announced they were quitting the business industry organisation.After news of the CBI's registration emerged last week, Scottish firms Aquamarine Power and the Balhousie Care Group announced they were quitting the business industry organisation.
'Normal activities' A CBI spokesman said: "CBI members directly employ at least 500,000 people in Scotland, around a quarter of the private sector workforce. This is made up of firms headquartered in Scotland and other companies in the rest of the UK who have operations in Scotland."
Speaking over the weekend, CBI director general John Cridland said his members wanted the group to have a view. "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."
He added: "We are not taking actions in an election but we do have a point of view." Responding to a query about what would happen to departing members' fees, the spokesman added: "Refunds are not normally made."
He said the decision to register with the Electoral Commission was a "compliance issue".
"We have to operate within the law," he added.
"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."
Dundee University and Caledonian University are also said to be reviewing their CBI memberships this week.