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Civil service boss rejects claims officials acted improperly Scottish independence: Price warning letter due as business row intensifies
(about 1 hour later)
The head of the civil service has rejected claims by Alex Salmond that the Treasury deliberately leaked sensitive information to damage the campaign for Scottish independence. The referendum row over business has intensified as retail bosses plan to publish a letter warning of price rises if Scots vote "Yes" to independence.
Sir Jeremy Heywood also denied accusations of scaremongering. First Minister Alex Salmond described recent interventions by business figures as "blatant intimidation from Westminister."
Mr Salmond has called for an inquiry into the alleged leaking of sensitive data. But the Prime Minister's office said David Cameron wanted "stakeholders to set out their views".
A source close to the first minister said the response of the cabinet secretary did not clear the Treasury. Voters in Scotland go to the ballot box in six days time.
Meanwhile, a group of leading retailers are expected to warn in a letter that independence for Scotland could lead to higher prices for customers. They will be asked the "Yes/No" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
The letter has been written by Kingfisher Group head Sir Ian Cheshire, and signed by other business leaders, including the heads of John Lewis, Asda and Marks and Spencer. It will be published in the coming days. The letter warning of price rises has been written by Kingfisher Group head Sir Ian Cheshire, and signed by other business leaders, including the heads of John Lewis, Asda and Marks and Spencer. It will be published in the coming days.
On the campaign trail.. Meanwhile, Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, who is in Scotland to speak against independence, has called for the Queen to intervene in the debate.
Business for Scotland - which is campaigning for a 'Yes' vote - has argued that prices could also go down after independence. Other things happening in the campaign with less than a week to go include;
The focus on what might happen to food prices if the country voted "Yes", has prompted Business for Scotland to argue that prices could also go down after independence.
The organisation's Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp suggested to BBC Radio 4's Today programme that some of the business interventions warning of the impact of independence may have been orchestrated.The organisation's Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp suggested to BBC Radio 4's Today programme that some of the business interventions warning of the impact of independence may have been orchestrated.
He said: "Individuals themselves may not have had any contact, but there's definitely a theme running through this. We've heard it all before."He said: "Individuals themselves may not have had any contact, but there's definitely a theme running through this. We've heard it all before."
Mr MacIntyre-Kemp added: "I understand that Morrison's and Tesco are refusing to sign this retailers' letter and we've had Tesco say that price rises are entirely speculative."Mr MacIntyre-Kemp added: "I understand that Morrison's and Tesco are refusing to sign this retailers' letter and we've had Tesco say that price rises are entirely speculative."
It came as a new opinion poll suggested the "No" campaign was leading by 52% to 48%, once undecided voters were excluded.It came as a new opinion poll suggested the "No" campaign was leading by 52% to 48%, once undecided voters were excluded.
If the don't knows are included the figures break down as 50% for "No"; 45% for "Yes" and 6% who are still undecided.If the don't knows are included the figures break down as 50% for "No"; 45% for "Yes" and 6% who are still undecided.
The YouGov survey for The Sun and The Times was based on the questioning of 1,268 electors online between 9 September and 11 September.The YouGov survey for The Sun and The Times was based on the questioning of 1,268 electors online between 9 September and 11 September.
The political row involving Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy and Scotland's first minister erupted with less than a week to go until the referendum.The political row involving Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy and Scotland's first minister erupted with less than a week to go until the referendum.
It comes after officials confirmed to the media that RBS had made contingency plans to move its registered head office from Edinburgh to London.It comes after officials confirmed to the media that RBS had made contingency plans to move its registered head office from Edinburgh to London.
Five banks - including RBS - have said they might move their registered offices out of Scotland, while John Lewis and Asda warned prices may rise.Five banks - including RBS - have said they might move their registered offices out of Scotland, while John Lewis and Asda warned prices may rise.
Mr Salmond accused the UK government of deliberately leaking the news about RBS to the BBC and other news outlets before the bank made the announcement officially.Mr Salmond accused the UK government of deliberately leaking the news about RBS to the BBC and other news outlets before the bank made the announcement officially.
He said it was an attempt of scaremongering aimed at damaging the independence campaign and called for an investigation into civil servants leaking market sensitive information.He said it was an attempt of scaremongering aimed at damaging the independence campaign and called for an investigation into civil servants leaking market sensitive information.
"It puts the Treasury fingerprints all over this story and it provides a spectacular example of the sort of campaign tactics of intimidation and bullying that have served the 'No' campaign so badly," he said."It puts the Treasury fingerprints all over this story and it provides a spectacular example of the sort of campaign tactics of intimidation and bullying that have served the 'No' campaign so badly," he said.
Analysis: Robert Peston, BBC business editorAnalysis: Robert Peston, BBC business editor
Some of the fuss and furore about whether prices in an independent Scotland would be higher than in the rest of the UK is bonkers.Some of the fuss and furore about whether prices in an independent Scotland would be higher than in the rest of the UK is bonkers.
When retailers - food and non food - say they might have to push up their prices if Scotland were to introduce higher taxes or rates or if it were to change employment and planning laws, this is simply to remind Scots why they are voting for or against independence.When retailers - food and non food - say they might have to push up their prices if Scotland were to introduce higher taxes or rates or if it were to change employment and planning laws, this is simply to remind Scots why they are voting for or against independence.
The whole point of Scotland becoming a separate nation, for its proponents, is to give Scots the ability to make different choices about the nature of the society they inhabit from what prevails in the rest of the UK.The whole point of Scotland becoming a separate nation, for its proponents, is to give Scots the ability to make different choices about the nature of the society they inhabit from what prevails in the rest of the UK.
Inevitably those choices would have an impact on businesses. And frequently they would have an impact on the level of prices.Inevitably those choices would have an impact on businesses. And frequently they would have an impact on the level of prices.
So talking about the emergence of inevitable price differentials between Scotland and an independent UK is to say something stunningly obvious and uninteresting.So talking about the emergence of inevitable price differentials between Scotland and an independent UK is to say something stunningly obvious and uninteresting.
For example we don't expect prices to be the same in UK and France, because the UK and France make different choices about the structure of their respective economies, and these choices have an impact on the productivity and pricing policies of their respective businesses.For example we don't expect prices to be the same in UK and France, because the UK and France make different choices about the structure of their respective economies, and these choices have an impact on the productivity and pricing policies of their respective businesses.
Read more from RobertRead more from Robert
But, in a letter to Mr Salmond, Sir Jeremy insisted that staff had merely "confirmed its understanding of RBS's contingency planning" judging this was important to "maintain financial stability".But, in a letter to Mr Salmond, Sir Jeremy insisted that staff had merely "confirmed its understanding of RBS's contingency planning" judging this was important to "maintain financial stability".
He said they were responding to journalists' questions at a time when the UK financial markets were closed.He said they were responding to journalists' questions at a time when the UK financial markets were closed.
It was not a UK government announcement, he said, but a confirmation of the Treasury's understanding of RBS's contingency plan.It was not a UK government announcement, he said, but a confirmation of the Treasury's understanding of RBS's contingency plan.
Sir Jeremy added that he had consulted Prime Minister David Cameron on the issue, who was clear that there had been no breach of the Ministerial Code.Sir Jeremy added that he had consulted Prime Minister David Cameron on the issue, who was clear that there had been no breach of the Ministerial Code.
Politicians on both sides of the independence debate are to ramp up their campaigning on Friday.Politicians on both sides of the independence debate are to ramp up their campaigning on Friday.
With many voters still undecided, Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon will tour Scotland's cities highlighting "seven key gains of independence".With many voters still undecided, Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon will tour Scotland's cities highlighting "seven key gains of independence".
They claim independence would bring gains including job-creating powers, protection for the NHS, the removal of nuclear weapons and control of social security.They claim independence would bring gains including job-creating powers, protection for the NHS, the removal of nuclear weapons and control of social security.
Ms Sturgeon said: "All across Scotland more and more people are waking up to the opportunities of independence - and this tour of our seven cities will be a fantastic way for us to take the positive message of independence directly to the people of Scotland.Ms Sturgeon said: "All across Scotland more and more people are waking up to the opportunities of independence - and this tour of our seven cities will be a fantastic way for us to take the positive message of independence directly to the people of Scotland.
"A 'Yes' vote is our opportunity to transform childcare, get rid of the obscenity of Trident nuclear weapons from the River Clyde and stop the Tories from putting up to 100,000 more children into poverty."A 'Yes' vote is our opportunity to transform childcare, get rid of the obscenity of Trident nuclear weapons from the River Clyde and stop the Tories from putting up to 100,000 more children into poverty.
"Independence isn't a magic wand but it's an opportunity we simply can't afford to pass up - which is why I am so confident that the people of Scotland will vote 'Yes' next week.""Independence isn't a magic wand but it's an opportunity we simply can't afford to pass up - which is why I am so confident that the people of Scotland will vote 'Yes' next week."
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson will call on Scots not to walk away from the UK's "progressive agenda". 'Family of nations'
Family of nations Meanwhile, Mr Farage will hold a "pro-Union" rally in Glasgow with fellow UKIP politicians, where he is to claim that an independent Scotland would not be able to keep the pound - and would be forced to join the euro.
The MP for East Dunbartonshire and UK Employment Relations Minister will meet local businesspeople in Bearsden to argue that Scotland benefits from progressive policies including flexible working.
Fellow Lib Dem MP and former party leader Charles Kennedy, campaigning in Glasgow, argued that Scots should not "walk away" from the UK.
"Like millions of Scots I've had the benefit of being part of a bigger UK and I don't believe that we should walk away from that," he said.
"Together, our family of nations has achieved great things.
"In so many ways we have built the best. In the NHS we have the best health service in the world. We are the world's second largest aid donor, helping the planet's poorest."
Elsewhere, Labour leader Ed Miliband will continue campaigning for the "No" vote alongside former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
And UKIP leader Nigel Farage will hold a "pro-Union" rally in Glasgow with fellow UKIP politicians, where he is to claim that an independent Scotland would not be able to keep the pound - and would be forced to join the euro.
Mr Farage will warn that a "Yes" vote next week would be a misnomer - because Scotland would still be ruled by Brussels.
The party is not involved with Better Together, which said UKIP had "no part to play" in its campaign.The party is not involved with Better Together, which said UKIP had "no part to play" in its campaign.
Speaking on LBC radio ahead of the rally, Mr Farage called on the Queen to intervene in the referendum debate in an effort to keep the UK together.
Elsewhere, Labour leader Ed Miliband will continue campaigning for the "No" vote alongside former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
And Lib Dem MP and former party leader Charles Kennedy, campaigning in Glasgow, argued that Scots should not "walk away" from the UK.
"Like millions of Scots I've had the benefit of being part of a bigger UK and I don't believe that we should walk away from that," he said.