Government accused of manipulating the EU referendum vote by ‘letting’ Remain campaigners raid contacts book
Brexiteers want an investigation about whether confidential data is being shared with pro-EU campaigners
THE Remain campaign was tonight accused of dirty tricks by raiding the Government contact book to urge business owners to go public with EU support.
Stunned company bosses have spoken of their shock at receiving begging emails from No 10 advisers asking them to sign a letter backing the Stronger In campaign and to give over details about their staff.
David Cameron’s business aide Daniel Korski, who is working temporarily for the official Remain campaign, is coordinating a letter from bosses of “micro companies to the FTSE 100” chiefs.
One boss told the Sun: “I’m interested to know why they thought it was ok to share my email address with Stronger In without asking my permission.”
Business chiefs are angry their contact details provided to the government for other matters, have now been given to the pro-EU group.
Ex-Cabinet Minister Iain Duncan Smith said it appeared Mr Korski may have breached strict ‘purdah’ rules by taking Government data with him to the Remain campaign HQ while he is seconded there for the referendum campaign.
He stormed: “This letter plot raises serious concerns over whether government data is being shared with the Remain campaign.
“No.10 are meant to be obeying purdah, but it’s now clear they are still trying to use the Whitehall machine to manipulate the vote.”
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For the run up to polling day the government advisers and the civil service are meant to remain impartial on the referendum — but many No10 staff have decamped to the Remain team.
Mr Duncan Smith called for the letter to be ditched immediately and urged Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood to investigate whether there had been any rule breaches.
More than 5,000 small businesses signed a pro-EU letter in April – saying a Brexit now “would be far too risky.”
Ahead of last year’s General Election, the Tories organised a similar business letter urging voters to return Mr Cameron to No 10.
The letter scheduled to be released later this week and seen by The Sun will say “we know our firms are stronger in Europe.”
“Britain leaving the EU would mean uncertainty for our firms, less trade with Europe and fewer jobs.
“EU membership is good for business and good for British jobs,” it will add.
Tonight a spokesman for the Remain campaign said: “Survey after survey show the overwhelming majority of business big and small want the UK to remain in the EU because it is best for jobs and opportunities.”