Barrhead distances itself from founder’s anti-independence memo

Barrhead Travel has tried to distance itself from a memo sent by founder Bill Munro to staff urging them to vote ‘No’ to Scottish independence after it provoked a storm of protest from employees and customers.

In his company-wide email, non-executive Bill Munro warned of the consequence for the travel agency chain if Scotland became independent.

Munro said that for Barrhead and "most if not all" travel companies a ‘Yes’ vote would be a disaster.

He added: "37% of our business comes from England and we would not be able to trade outwith Scotland due to Scotland being outwith the EU and English regulations for at least three years.

"The devil is on the detail and as the weeks pass and more is discovered the magnitude of the impending disaster should there be a yes vote becomes ever more apparent."

After the memo was leaked on social media,  some supported Munro’s decision to speak out but many staff and customers took to Facebook and Twitter to express outrage. Some claimed he was bullying employees into voting ‘no’ and others threatened to boycott Barrhead.

As a result, the company posted the following  statement on its Facebook page: "Many of you have today given your reaction to the personal opinion of Barrhead Travel’s part-time, non-executive director Bill Munro on Scottish independence.

"Whilst we respect Mr Munro’s views, we would like to clarify that this is not the opinion of the company. We believe that it’s for the people of Scotland to decide on the country’s future when they go to the polls in September."

However, the statement led to further disgruntled comments on social media. Former employee Elaine Patterson wrote:  "Having worked for Barrhead travel, I know that Barrhead travel IS Mr Munro! I understand that from a company point of view you are now desperately trying to distance the company from a personal point of view but no-one is falling for this!!

"Mr Munro was wrong to try and sway his employees and instil fear using the company email for his own personal opinions! "

One customer even called for Munro’s resignation, writing: "As a very good customer of Barrhead Travel I would like to know what is going to happen to Bill Munro? Unless he goes I’m afraid I will not use Barrhead Travel again. I book 2 sun holidays plus a few city breaks per year with your company."

In an interview with The Scotsman, Munro defended his right to express a personal opinion. He said: "I decided to share my personal opinion which is that independence would not be good for Scotland, its businesses or its consumers."

His comments were welcomed by some on social media, who said he was right to speak out against an independent Scotland.

"One of my main concerns is that of the financial protection of the Scottish travelling public which would be under threat in an independent Scotland," he added. "Second to that is the uncertainty of cross border trading which I believe will be impacted negatively, a concern especially for businesses with interests outside of Scotland.

"The opinions expressed are my own and not those of the company. Just as I have the right to express my own opinion, I respect that is true of everyone in Scotland, including the 800 employees of Barrhead Travel who will make their own views clear throughout the democratic process."