BCC head suspended over Brexit campaign
As the dispute between the opponents and proponents of Brexit is gaining momentum in the UK, the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce has been temporarily suspended over his comments this week calling for leaving the EU.
John Longworth had said on Thursday that the UK’s long-term prospect could be “brighter” outside the EU. He later said he thought Britain would be "better off" after leaving.
He noted that the referendum on the EU exit is a choice between the "devil and the deep blue sea."
"The dynamism and resilience of the City of London and the UK business sector suggests to me that, in the long run, we have the capacity and capability to create a bright, if not brighter, economic future outside of the EU - just as we would have done had we had the opportunity to stay in a truly reformed Europe," he added.
The statements came as the BCC had said it will not campaign for either side in the 23 June referendum as its membership is split. But a poll conducted last month of its members revealed that 59.5% of BCC companies preferred to remain in the EU, the state-funded BBC reported.
The BCC is a national body of 52 accredited chambers of commerce across the UK, representing thousands of large, medium and small businesses, added BBC.
Media reports said earlier that the group's board held an emergency meeting to discuss how to reconcile the difference in views between Longworth and many BCC members on the UK’s future in the EU.
But later, the members were told that Longworth had been temporarily suspended for breaching the group's official position of neutrality.
China halts liquefied natural gas imports from US amid tariff war
Negative impact of Trump tariffs on UK economy
BP to be sued in Britain for supplying oil to Israel
Israel calls up tens of thousands of reserve forces to expand Gaza war
Palestinian detainee dies in Israeli jail due to deliberate medical negligence
Iran unveils new ballistic missile called Qassem Basir
Iranian firm dismisses Reuters’ account of Syria presence
Iran to impose higher capital requirements on banks
VIDEO | Yemen strikes Israel with new hypersonic missile
International airlines cancel Israel flights after Yemen strikes Ben Gurion airport
Iran’s foreign minister arrives in Pakistan for high-level talks
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
