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Scottish independence: Electoral Commission removes CBI from 'No' list Scottish independence: Electoral Commission removes CBI from 'No' list
(35 minutes later)
The Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) registration as a campaigner against Scottish independence has been nullified by the elections watchdog.The Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) registration as a campaigner against Scottish independence has been nullified by the elections watchdog.
The business lobby's registration with the Electoral Commission would have allowed it to spend up to £150,000 in campaigning for a "No" vote.The business lobby's registration with the Electoral Commission would have allowed it to spend up to £150,000 in campaigning for a "No" vote.
The CBI said it remained a "politically independent and impartial body".The CBI said it remained a "politically independent and impartial body".
The commission said the group's activities would be monitored during the referendum period.The commission said the group's activities would be monitored during the referendum period.
The CBI had said its registration as a "No" supporter had been an "honest mistake" which had not been signed by an authorised signatory - an explanation which has been accepted by the elections watchdog.The CBI had said its registration as a "No" supporter had been an "honest mistake" which had not been signed by an authorised signatory - an explanation which has been accepted by the elections watchdog.
The move, last month, prompted more than a dozen members to resign or suspended their membership from the organisation.The move, last month, prompted more than a dozen members to resign or suspended their membership from the organisation.
They included most of Scotland's universities, several quangos, the Law Society of Scotland and two businesses - Aquamarine Power and Balhousie Care Group. Following the Electoral Commission's decision, a number said they would review their positions after the independence referendum.
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.
Following the Electoral Commission's decision, the BBC asked those which resigned or suspended their CBI membership if they would rejoin.
The commission said "the only reason" 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" 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 said in a statement: "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 said in a statement: "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."
On 18 September, voters in Scotland will be asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"On 18 September, voters in Scotland will be asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"