BP Warns of "Big Uncertaities" over the possibility of Scottish Independance
04 February 2014
Oil giant BP boss Bob Dudley has warned there are "big uncertainties" for the company over the possibility of Scotland becoming independent.
Mr Dudley told the BBC the "question mark" over which currency Scotland might adopt if there was a 'yes' vote in September's referendum was "a concern".
However, Mr Dudley emphasised the firm was continuing to invest in Scotland.
Separately, BP reported a fall in profit for 2013.
BP plans to invest £10bn in the North Sea between 2011 and 2016, its highest ever investment in the region.
"We have a lot of people in Scotland. We have a lot of investments in Scotland. My personal view is that Great Britain is great and it ought to stay together," added Mr Dudley.
Alistair Darling, head of the Better Together campaign, said Mr Dudley's comments marked the biggest intervention by a major business so far in the referendum debate.
"I hope that more companies and business leaders speak out over the coming weeks and months. This debate is far too important to be left to politicians alone," he added.
However, the pro-independence Yes Scotland campaign dismissed Bob Dudley's remarks.
"With independence, the continued use of sterling has the overwhelming support of the people of Scotland and the public in the rest of the UK," a spokesman said.
Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, said that Mr Dudley was "entitled to his personal opinion" but added that many other chief executives were firmly in favour of independence. He said he would "continue to co-operate" with BP.
Read the full story on the BBC News website