大象传媒

The former head of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) has said that he does not regret saying the UK's long-term prospects could be "brighter" outside the European Union.

John Longworth was suspended from his role as director general of the BCC after making the comments during a speech on Thursday. Nora Senior, president of the BCC, said that his comments left the organisation with no option, as he had breached the BCC's official position of neutrality on the referendum.

But speaking to Martha Kearney on Radio 4's World at One Mr Longworth said, "I made it very clear when I delivered my speech (on Thursday) that there were additional comments that were of a particular and personal nature."

He said he decided to resign "in order to give me the freedom to speak out on the referendum."

(Image: John Longworth. Credit: Reuters)