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Scottish independence: BBC under pressure over CBI membership Scottish independence: BBC suspends its CBI membership
(about 1 hour later)
Supporters of Scottish independence have questioned why the BBC has not resigned from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) over the business group's referendum stance. The BBC has announced that it is to suspend its membership of the employers' organisation the CBI.
The CBI has registered as a backer of a "No" vote. A statement said the suspension would cover the period of the CBI's registration as a supporter of the pro-UK Better Together campaign.
Pro-independence group, Business for Scotland, said it believed the BBC's "duty of impartiality" would have left it with no choice but to quit. A number of organisations have said they will leave the CBI or suspend their membership because of its opposition to Scottish independence.
The BBC is yet to comment on its position. People in Scotland will vote on their country's future in September.
Several bodies have already quit the CBI after it registered with the Electoral Commission - including the broadcaster STV. The statement from the BBC came after pro-independence backer, Business for Scotland, had questioned why the BBC had not resigned.
UK broadcaster ITV said it was a member of the CBI and would not be leaving. The statement said: "In order to protect the BBC's neutrality, the CBI and the BBC have agreed to suspend the BBC's membership during the business group's registration period under the terms of the Scottish Referendums Act 2013."
It added: "We remain entirely impartial on the debate over Scottish independence and our coverage of the issue will, as always, be completely fair and balanced." John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said: "In order to protect the BBC's neutrality, the CBI and BBC have agreed to suspend its membership during the business group's registration period (30 May to 18 September) under the terms of the Scottish Referendum Act 2013."
However, most of Scotland's universities, several quangos, the Law Society of Scotland and two businesses, Aquamarine Power and Balhousie Care Group, have left the organisation. Several bodies have now quit the CBI after it registered with the Electoral Commission as a supporter of the campaign to keep the UK together.
The CBI has 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.
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.
Business for Scotland's chief executive, Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, said the CBI's partial approach to the debate raised questions for all broadcasters who were members of it.
He said there was "clearly a danger" that being a member of an organisation campaigning for a "no" vote in the referendum would create "an impression that their impartiality was damaged".
Broadcaster STV has left the CBI but ITV said it would remain a member.
A spokesman for ITV added: "We remain entirely impartial on the debate over Scottish independence and our coverage of the issue will, as always, be completely fair and balanced."
Most of Scotland's universities, several quangos, the Law Society of Scotland and two businesses, Aquamarine Power and Balhousie Care Group, have left the organisation.
Meanwhile, Robert Gordon University said that after extensive consultations principal Ferdinand von Prondzynski had decided to suspend CBI membership "for the time being".Meanwhile, Robert Gordon University said that after extensive consultations principal Ferdinand von Prondzynski had decided to suspend CBI membership "for the time being".
"This will be reviewed after the referendum and the university will maintain its position of neutrality," a statement added."This will be reviewed after the referendum and the university will maintain its position of neutrality," a statement added.
On 18 September, voters in Scotland will be asked the referendum question "Should Scotland be an independent country?" At the ballot box, voters in Scotland will be asked the "yes/no" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"