Did SNP try to gag business boss over Indyref 2?
SNP ministers are facing fresh claims of ‘intimidation’ after ordering officials to set up an urgent meeting with a chief executive who questioned the push for a second independence referendum.
Highland Spring chief executive Les Montgomery had said the SNP should scrap its plans for a second vote.
In a weekend statement he declared: ‘Independence isn’t the job the Scottish Government is supposed to be doing.’
Now it has emerged that Economy Secretary Keith Brown told officials to contact the business leader to arrange a meeting to discuss his comments face to face.
Highland Spring, which was bombarded with online abuse from angry Nationalists, has since backtracked.
The company has apologised, claiming that the statements did not refer directly to a second independence plebiscite.
In response, the SNP has been accused of browbeating business leaders who query calls for a new
‘Unacceptable, then and now’
referendum – with opponents denouncing the tactics as ‘unacceptable’.
They claim it has echoes of the 2014 SNP campaign, with its alleged attempts to silence captains of industry who spoke out against Yes.
Yesterday Mr Brown insisted he had done nothing wrong, while Mr Montgomery put out another statement saying the company’s apology had nothing to do with the call from the Government.
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: ‘During the independence referendum we saw serious allegations of intimidation of business levelled at the SNP government.
‘It was completely unacceptable then and would be unacceptable now.
‘The SNP Government needs to clarify the nature of this contact and guarantee that businesses are not being silenced because of completely valid positions on Government performance.’
Mr Montgomery said at the weekend that businesses were tired of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s threat to keep a second independence referendum on the table.
He said: ‘Businesses are fed up. The Scottish Government should be getting on with the job they are there to do, focusing on employment, investment, those kinds of things.
‘I am responsible for 600 people and I am trying to do the best for them. I would think the Scottish Government should also try to do the best for the people as a whole.’
It is rare for company bosses to stick their head above the parapet on matters as delicate as the independence question.
In a backlash from independence supporters, singer Eddi Reader has vowed to no longer stock Highland Spring on her tour bus.
Yesterday Mr Brown confirmed that his officials had contacted Highland Spring Groups and that a meeting had been set up.
Meanwhile, the company has issued a statement backtracking on Mr Montgomery’s initial remarks.
It said: ‘The comments being referred to came from a recent business news story which focuses on the importance of maintaining a “business as usual” stance in light of recent political activity across the UK.
‘The statements made did not mention Indyref2 and were not intended to offer an opinion on whether Scotland should or shouldn’t remain a part of the UK – from either the perspective of Highland Spring or any individual member of staff. Instead, they were intended to outline a view that it is key for businesses in Scotland to have stability and clarity around ongoing important political issues, for the good of the Scottish economy and businesses.
‘We’re sorry if people have taken this the wrong way.’
Opponents last night raised concerns that Highland Spring had backpedalled after pressure from the Scottish Government.
Conservative MSP Donald Cameron said: ‘This incident is reminiscent of the SNP’s behavcerns iour in the lead-up to the 2014 referendum.
‘Nationalist politicians thought it perfectly reasonable to send the heavies round any time a business questioned their plans.
‘Now the Scottish Government should detail exactly why this contact was made and what was said.’
Last night, Mr Montgomery said: ‘There is an implication that we have reacted based on conversations or pressure from the Scottish Government.
‘Our explanation to those who may have taken personal offence at recent comments was made independently to address any con- raised, and categorically not as the result of any influence from, or conversations with, the Scottish Government, with whom we have an open, positive and collaborative relationship.
‘Highland Spring Group always has been, and will continue to be, a politically neutral business.
‘The comments made during a recent media interview were not intended to offer an opinion on whether Scotland should or shouldn’t remain a part of the UK in the long term from myself or the company.’
The Scottish Government yesterday refused to answer questions about the purpose of the contact with Highland Spring, or to provide any details on what was said.
A spokesman for Mr Brown said: ‘As the company themselves have made clear, their comments are categorically not as a result of contact with Scottish Government officials, whose job it is to interact with Scotland’s business community.
‘The Tories and Labour are making themselves sound ridiculous.
‘Not content with appearing desperate for Scotland to be in recession, just so they could attack the SNP, they now seem to be suggesting that the Government should have no contact with companies.’
‘Businesses need stability and clarity’