Heavy-handed tactics in the Scots independence race

So far, accusations of bullying in the Scottish independence debate have mostly come from the Yes camp, says the Financial Times.

Scottish National Party (SNP) leader, Alex Salmond, and colleagues have criticised Westminster over threats about the potential costs of separation, such as losing the pound and EU membership. But now Salmond stands "accused of employing heavy-handed tactics" to keep business leaders out of the debate.

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Gavin Hewitt, former head of the Scottish Whisky Association, told Channel 4's Dispatches that he had been told by the SNP that there would be "retribution" if it got involved. The Yes camp and the Scottish government have denied the allegations.

The politically neutral SFE published a "scathing critique" this year, contradicting some of Salmond's "most central claims on the country's finances after independence", says Ben Riley-Smith in The Daily Telegraph.

It warned that post-independencetalks could take far longer than the SNP's 18-month estimate,and that a separate currency was a "real possibility". Aspokesman for Salmond said he had merely been trying toensure anything published was "properly balanced".

Many are unconvinced. Last week David Cameron accusedSalmond of exerting "huge" pressure to stop companiestalking about potential pitfalls. Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, chiefexecutive of the pro-independence Business for Scotland,retorted that firms weren't speaking up for the No campbecause their message was "simply not credible".

Whateverthe truth, the attitude of business has a "strong bearing on thecredibility" of Salmond's vision, says the FT.

Companies are"well placed to assess the pros and cons". Local firms may fearalienating customers, but internationally minded companiessuch as Weir and Standard Life have been "more willing tospeak their minds", and should not be hindered from doing so.

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