The bosses of some of Britain’s biggest companies are warning that they may refrain from further interventions in the debate about Europe amid concerns that they risk falling foul of strict campaign rules. Sky News understands that the Electoral Commission will publish new guidance on Monday setting out the scope of activities permissible for businesses once the referendum period formally begins on Friday. The decision to issue the updated rules comes after groups including the CBI warned the regulator that existing guidelines were mired in confusion.
The CBI, which has decided it will not register as a campaigning organisation and will therefore be subject to a £10,000 spending limit, will nevertheless continue to argue the case for the UK’s continued membership of the European Union (EU).
However, a number of executives at companies which signed a pro-EU letter in February say privately that they would not repeat the move after the referendum clock begins ticking this week.
Full Article: Bosses Demand Clarity On EU Campaign Rules.