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Scottish independence: BBC suspends its CBI membership Scottish independence: BBC suspends its CBI membership
(35 minutes later)
The BBC has announced that it is to suspend its membership of the employers' organisation the CBI. The BBC has announced that it is to suspend its membership of the employers' organisation the CBI from 30 May to 18 September.
A statement said the suspension would cover the period of the CBI's registration as a supporter of the pro-UK Better Together campaign.A statement said the suspension would cover the period of the CBI's registration as a supporter of the pro-UK Better Together campaign.
A number of organisations have said they will leave the CBI or suspend their membership because of its opposition to Scottish independence. A number of organisations have left the CBI because of its opposition to Scottish independence.
People in Scotland will vote on their country's future in September.People in Scotland will vote on their country's future in September.
The statement from the BBC came after pro-independence backer, Business for Scotland, had questioned why the BBC had not resigned.The statement from the BBC came after pro-independence backer, Business for Scotland, had questioned why the BBC had not resigned.
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."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."
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." An identical statement was released by CBI Director-General John Cridland.
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.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 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.
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.
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.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".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.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."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.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.
At the ballot box, voters in Scotland will be asked the "yes/no" 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?"