Executives quoted in Labour advert refuse to back party

BUSINE SS chiefs today refused to endorse Labour, despite being quoted by the party in its new election campaign advertisement.

Labour used comments from six top executives in an advert claiming the party would “deliver reform, not exit” on the EU, but representatives of four later refused to back the party.

In the full page advert in the Financial Times Labour proclaimed “the biggest risk to British business is the threat of an EU exit”.

It quoted six business leaders, but representatives of four — Siemens chief executive Juergen Maier, BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie, Kellogg’s EU Head Jonathan Myers and Nomura vice chairman Sir Andrew Cahn — said they did not support any one party. All pointed out that the quotes were taken from old articles and interviews.

The advert quoted Mr Maier saying that “the prospect of a referendum that may or may not happen ... is profoundly worrying.” But a spokesman for Siemens UK said: “It is not an endorsement of the Labour Party. Companies like Siemens would not take a political stance endorsing any political party.”

Mr Myers’s spokesman said: “We do not have a strong view on a referendum. The issue Jonathan was taking about was the climate of uncertainty which i s dr ive n by c onvers a t i ons among the political parties about Britain’s membership.” He added: “We do not support any political party.”

A spokesman for Mr Mackenzie would not comment, but said the company did not endorse Labour or any political party. A spokesman for Sir Andrew at Nomura said the company was politically neutral.

Gina Miller, founding partner at SCM Direct, was also quoted. She said she was a Labour supporter but told the Standard she disagreed with the party’s policies on the Mansion Tax and capping private profits in the NHS.