Nanette Milne MSP has expressed their dismay at the revelations that businesses that have raised concerns over separation are being silenced by the Scottish Government.
The channel 4 show Dispatches reported that several senior SNP politicians made attempts to stop major employers and industry leaders from airing concerns over the impact of independence. (Insert name) has branded the SNP's attempts to silence critics as "completely unacceptable."
The programme makers contacted 50 companies and business leaders believed to have concerns over the impact of separation. Five told the programme that they'd been contacted by the Scottish Government and felt pressured to keep their views private. One claimed to have been visited by a Minister, two claimed to have received a phone call from the First Minister's office and a further 14 said they knew of businesses who felt under pressure.
Gavin Hewitt, the former Chief Exec of the Scotch Whisky Association, alleges that the SNP have regularly tried to get the message to the whisky industry that they should stay out of the independence debate. The programme also reveals new information on what happened after the CBI backed a No vote. Emails show that the SNP Finance Secretary John Swinney seized on the decision by Scottish Enterprise to pull out of CBI and urged others to do the same. Mr Swinney's media adviser urged Visit Scotland to pull out of CBI: "Mr Swinney has said that other public bodies should follow suit, if they are CBI members" stated one email. Another email to visit Scotland read "can you please let me know...when a resignation letter can be issued."
Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said:
"These are very serious allegations that Dispatches made. Employers and industry experts should feel free to speak out about the consequences of breaking up the UK for jobs and business here without fear of abuse or intimidation from the SNP or the Scottish Government.
"Polls consistently show the most important issue for most voters is the impact separation would have on the economy. It is employers and industry leaders who are best placed to speak on these issues yet they are being silenced by threats. That's completely unacceptable.
"Several local employers have raised concerns about independence with me but are also concerned about speaking out, as are a host of people in the area that want to get involved in the campaign - whether that's delivering leaflets or putting a poster in their window.
"This is the most important decision that we will ever make and we shouldn't be in the position where people are left afraid to speak out or raise concerns about separation.”