The boss of one of the North Sea’s biggest engineering companies has urged Scots voters to reject independence.
Amec chief executive Samir Brikho – whose firm employs 4,500 staff out of Aberdeen – said splitting up the UK would create unnecessary risk at a time when billions of pounds of investment is needed to maximise recovery.
His intervention, which came as a poll suggested support for independence has reached a campaign high, follows similar warnings from oil giants Shell and BP. But last night Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said independence would finally give the industry the attention it needs to flourish once more.
“For me, there is no question. I believe in the UK – that being together is a better outcome for both the Scots and the English,” Brikho said.
He also warned billions of pounds would be needed to dismantle rigs coming to the end of their lives.
The Scottish Energy Minister said a number of recent tax raids by the UK Government had undermined confidence in the UK Continental Shelf and a Yes vote could turn around the fortunes of the North Sea oil and gas industry.
“An independent Scotland with full control of its economy and huge resources will offer an attractive and stable environment for businesses in the offshore and other sectors,” he added.
The pair spoke out yesterday as a new survey showed the gap between supporters of independence and the Better Together movement narrowing.
The Panelbase poll commissioned by pro-independence website Wings Over Scotland put the Yes vote on 41% and No on 46%.
The Yes figure is the highest rating recorded so far. SNP supporters described the results – which come less than six months before the referendum – as “very encouraging”, while
opponents stressed the No lead remained the same.
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