Ludlow MP Dunne's appeal on Scots debate
A Government minister has urged the defence industry to intervene in the Scottish independence debate, prompting SNP concern about "underhand" activity.
Philip Dunne, minister for defence equipment, said: "I would like to see the defence industry in Scotland being a bit more upfront in explaining their concerns to their workforce and the people in Scotland and I urge them to do that at every opportunity."
It was also reported that a senior defence executive said UK officials were making "deft use of the dark arts".
Both sides of the referendum debate frequently urge wider involvement, but the SNP claims Mr Dunne is trying to put pressure on companies to speak on behalf of the 'No campaign.
Angus Robertson, the SNP's leader at Westminster, said: "These damning revelations expose the fact that UK Government ministers are attempting to pressure companies which depend on MoD orders and contracts to speak out on behalf of the 'No' campaign."
The SNP is tabling a series of questions at Westminster and using freedom of information rules to try to get "full disclosure" about any wider activity in other sectors of the economy. Mr Robertson added: "It is clear that the 'No' campaign is badly rattled."
