Boris Johnson attacks 'scandalous' decision to suspend boss of British Chamber of Commerce over pro-Brexit comments

JEREMY SELWYN
Sebastian Mann6 March 2016
WEST END FINAL

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The Mayor of London has hit out at one of the UK’s biggest business groups following its suspension of director general John Longworth after he appeared to back Brexit.

Boris Johnson claimed that British Chambers of Commerce had become a victim of "Project Fear" - the label used by Brexit campaigners to criticise the tactics used by David Cameron and his allies backing a Remain vote.

His comments came as Justice Secretary Michael Gove warned that the UK's membership of the EU could make the country less safe.

Mr Johnson, who is a prominent Brexit backer, said the BCC's decision was "scandalous".

The BCC is remaining neutral in the referendum campaign and Mr Longworth stressed he was giving his personal opinion as he used his keynote speech at the organisation's conference on Thursday to say the UK might be better off outside the EU.

Mr Johnson said: "It is absolutely scandalous that John Longworth has been forced to step aside.

"This is a man who reached the conclusion - after long reflection and a lifetime's experience of business - that it would be better to vote Leave.

He added: "Only 5 per cent of UK firms do business with the rest of Europe, and yet they must obey 100 per cent of EU legislation.

"The British public deserve to have the facts put before them. They deserve a proper debate.”

The Sunday Telegraph said a friend of Mr Longworth claimed Downing Street had "bullied" and been "putting pressure" on BCC board members to suspend their director-general.

But a No 10 source said: "This is simply not true. This is a matter for the BCC. No pressure was put on the BCC to suspend John Longworth."

Additional reporting by PA

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