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John Longworth resigns as commerce boss over Brexit John Longworth resigns as commerce boss over Brexit
(35 minutes later)
John Longworth has resigned as the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) after controversy over his support for a British exit from the European Union. The leader of one of the UK’s biggest business groups has resigned after expressing his support for a British exit from the European Union.
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The BCC, one of the UK’s biggest business organisations, has officially adopted a neutral position before the 23 June referendum and Mr Longworth accepted his personal views were “likely to create confusion,” the group’s president Nora Senior said. John Longworth quit as the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) following the controversy over his suggestion that the UK could have a “brighter” future outside the EU.
She insisted that “no politician or interest group” had any influence on the initial decision of the BCC’s board to suspend Mr Longworth on Friday and there were “no external factors” in his decision to quit. The BCC’s president, Nora Senior, insisted that “no politician or interest group” had any influence on the initial decision of the BCC’s board to suspend Longworth and there were “no external factors” in his subsequent decision to quit.
Downing Street has strenuously denied putting pressure on the BCC to act following Mr Longworth’s comments at the group’s annual conference on Thursday. Downing Street has strenuously denied claims from Brexit campaigners that it put pressure on the BCC to act following Longworth’s comments at the group’s annual conference on Thursday.
Senior said: “The British Chambers of Commerce is a non-partisan organisation and, as such, decided not to campaign for either side ahead of the European referendum on 23 June 2016. Its neutrality in the referendum debate reflects the real divisions that exist in business communities across the UK. Ukip’s MP, Douglas Carswell, responded to the announcement by tweeting: “Well done Downing Street. You got your man.”
“John Longworth and the BCC Board recognise that John’s personal view on the referendum is likely to create confusion regarding the BCC’s neutral stance going forward. He added: “This is what Project Fear looks like. Nasty people in Number 10.”
Senior said the BCC’s “neutrality in the referendum debate reflects the real divisions that exist in business communities across the UK”.
She added: “John Longworth and the BCC board recognise that John’s personal view on the referendum is likely to create confusion regarding the BCC’s neutral stance going forward.
“In light of this, John has taken the decision to step down as director general and his resignation has been accepted by the board with effect from 6 March 2016.“In light of this, John has taken the decision to step down as director general and his resignation has been accepted by the board with effect from 6 March 2016.
“No politician or interest group had any influence on the BCC board decision to suspend Mr Longworth. His subsequent resignation was agreed mutually between Mr Longworth and the BCC board and there were no external factors involved.
“All representatives of the BCC have the right to personal and political views on the key issues of the day. However they are not expected to articulate these views while acting in their professional capacity, as their views could be misconstrued as representing the position of the organisation as a whole.”
London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, who backs Brexit, had expressed his support for Longworth. Johnson claimed the business leader had been “crushed by the agents of project fear”.
On BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show, Johnson criticised the “negative” approach of the remain camp.
“This is like the jailer has accidentally left the door of the jail open and people can see the sunlit land beyond. And everybody is suddenly wrangling about the terrors of the world outside. Actually it would be wonderful. It would be a huge weight lifted from British business.
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“No politician or interest group had any influence on the BCC Board decision to suspend Mr Longworth. His subsequent resignation was agreed mutually between Mr Longworth and the BCC Board, and there were no external factors involved. “It is very sad that someone like John Longworth, who shares my view, who has great experience of British business and industry, should have paid quite a heavy price, it seems, for sharing that optimistic view.”
“The only views taken into account were those of the BCC Board and the BCC’s owners, the UK accredited chamber network. Liam Fox, a former Conservative cabinet minister, suggested he could ask questions in parliament to find out if ministers had a role.
“All representatives of the BCC have the right to personal and political views on the key issues of the day. However they are not expected to articulate these views while acting in their professional capacity, as their views could be misconstrued as representing the position of the organisation as a whole. He told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Pienaar’s Politics: “I want an explanation as to what happened and I want to know if any part of government – not just Number 10, any part of government – was involved in putting pressure on the BCC to drop John Longworth because I think that is inappropriate and I think if we don’t get enough explanation we’ll have to get a better one on the floor of the House of Commons.”
“The BCC will continue to use its position to reflect the varied views of the business communities it serves, articulate their concerns and seek greater clarity and information from both sides. The business secretary, Sajid Javid, and the chancellor, George Osborne, spoke at the BCC conference where Longworth made his controversial speech.
“The Board would like to thank John for his significant contribution to the development of the BCC, and wish him well for the future. Adam Marshall will be carrying out the director general role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is appointed.” A spokesman for the prime minister said: “Given that 60% of BCC members say they want to stay in the EU, No 10 was surprised to see the director general of the organisation come out for Brexit.
“We are clear no pressure was put on the BCC to suspend him. Of course No 10 talks to business organisations regularly – but, to be clear: no pressure was applied. This decision is entirely a matter for the BCC.”