Big guns shoot down Miliband

ED MILIBAND’S pro- business drive was in tatters last night after a number of top firms complained at being used in a Labour election advert.

The party took out a fullpage “vote Labour” advert in the Financial Times quoting business chiefs’ comments about the risks of leaving the EU and uncertainty caused by a referendum on membership promised by David Cameron.

But within hours, those quoted distanced themselves from Labour.

Juergen Maier, chief executive of Siemens UK, said: “We are apolitical... To be very closely aligned to a ‘ Vote Labour’ campaign is not what Siemens would want.”

Finance firm Nomura was said to be surprised to see comments made two years ago in “a private capacity” by vice chairman Sir Andrew Cahn. At Kellogg’s, the advert is said to have “raised eyebrows”.

Tory Treasury minister Priti Patel said: “It’s no surprise business leaders are once again rushing to distance themselves from Ed Miliband. Labour crashed the economy last time they were in power.”

But Labour said it spoke in advance to all firms quoted. Mr Miliband added: “We’ve quoted public statements by these businesses about the place of Britain in the EU.”

Simon Walker, director general of the Institute of Directors, said most of his members wanted a referendum on reformed terms – as David Cameron promises.

British Chambers of Commerce chief John Longworth said many firms backed EU reform and a referendum.

Picture: JEREMY SELWYN Like his owner, the Prime Minister’s cat Larry is not leaving Downing Street without a fight. The feline bristled at a police sniffer dog which wisely backed off, letting him take his morning stroll.