BUSINESS West's Phil Smith says he is appalled at the stance taken over Europe by former British Chambers of Commerce director general John Longworth.

Mr Longworth was suspended on Friday for his comments relating to the European Union, and subsequently announced his resignation yesterday.

Mr Smith, managing director of Business West, the UK's largest BCC accredited chamber of commerce, which covers Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, said he was "appalled" by Mr Longworth's "very public recommendation that the UK should vote to leave the EU" in the referendum on June 23.

"Chambers up and down the country are at this time carefully listening to their members views and ensuring that we properly represent our business community in this very important and complicated issue," said Mr Smith.

"I don’t believe that John had a mandate from the 50 or so British accredited chambers of commerce that he is supposed to represent.”