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Scottish independence: Electoral Commission removes CBI from 'No' list Scottish independence: Electoral Commission removes CBI from 'No' list
(about 1 hour later)
The Electoral Commission has nullified the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) registration as a campaigner against Scottish independence.The Electoral Commission has nullified the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) registration as a campaigner against Scottish independence.
The business lobby's registration with the commission would have allowed it to spend up to £150,000 in campaigning for a "No" vote.The business lobby's registration with the commission would have allowed it to spend up to £150,000 in campaigning for a "No" vote.
The commission said it would meet the CBI shortly to go through the campaign rules.The commission said it would meet the CBI shortly to go through the campaign rules.
The CBI said it remained a "politically independent and impartial body".The CBI said it remained a "politically independent and impartial body".
The people of Scotland are to vote in the independence referendum on 18 September.The people of Scotland are to vote in the independence referendum on 18 September.
Voters will be asked the "Yes/No" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"Voters will be asked the "Yes/No" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Last month the commission, a watchdog which oversees the running and funding of elections, received an application to register CBI as an official "No" supporter.Last month the commission, a watchdog which oversees the running and funding of elections, received an application to register CBI as an official "No" supporter.
Once that decision was made public more than a dozen CBI members either resigned from the organisation or suspended their membership. Once that decision was made public more than a dozen CBI members either resigned from the organisation or suspended their membership.
They included most of Scotland's universities, several quangos, the Law Society of Scotland and two businesses - Aquamarine Power and Balhousie Care Group.They included most of Scotland's universities, several quangos, the Law Society of Scotland and two businesses - Aquamarine Power and Balhousie Care Group.
Broadcaster STV also left the CBI, but ITV said it would remain a member. The BBC said it would suspend its membership for the period of the election campaign, from 30 May to 18 September.Broadcaster STV also left the CBI, but ITV said it would remain a member. The BBC said it would suspend its membership for the period of the election campaign, from 30 May to 18 September.
The business body later said its registration had been an "honest mistake" which had not been signed by an authorised signatory. Following the Electoral Commission's decision, the BBC asked those which had resigned or suspended their membership if they would rejoin the CBI
The CBI later said its registration had been an "honest mistake" which had not been signed by an authorised signatory.
On Thursday, the Electoral Commission accepted that explanation.On Thursday, the Electoral Commission accepted that explanation.
The commission said "the only reason" why it had removed the CBI from its register was because the business body had not ensured that the person who signed its application was authorised to do so.The commission said "the only reason" why it had removed the CBI from its register was because the business body had not ensured that the person who signed its application was authorised to do so.
John McCormick, electoral commissioner for Scotland, said: "The law, and our own guidance, state who can sign a permitted participant application form. In this case, the CBI submitted a form to the Electoral Commission that had been signed by the wrong person and their application is void.John McCormick, electoral commissioner for Scotland, said: "The law, and our own guidance, state who can sign a permitted participant application form. In this case, the CBI submitted a form to the Electoral Commission that had been signed by the wrong person and their application is void.
"The Electoral Commission will meet shortly with the CBI to make sure they understand the campaigning rules at this referendum. We will monitor their activities over the 'referendum period' as part of the monitoring work we do ahead of any election or referendum.""The Electoral Commission will meet shortly with the CBI to make sure they understand the campaigning rules at this referendum. We will monitor their activities over the 'referendum period' as part of the monitoring work we do ahead of any election or referendum."
Following its removal from the list, the CBI issued a statement which said: "The CBI is a politically independent and impartial body and will ensure that it complies with Electoral Commission guidance to safeguard its political independence.Following its removal from the list, the CBI issued a statement which said: "The CBI is a politically independent and impartial body and will ensure that it complies with Electoral Commission guidance to safeguard its political independence.
"As businesses work hard to secure the economic recovery, the CBI has a job to do on behalf of its members and their employees to help create the right conditions for UK companies to grow and prosper, wherever they operate across the world."As businesses work hard to secure the economic recovery, the CBI has a job to do on behalf of its members and their employees to help create the right conditions for UK companies to grow and prosper, wherever they operate across the world.
"We will continue to do that without fear or favour.""We will continue to do that without fear or favour."