The Bank of England governor Mark Carney has clarified comments he made on the upcoming EU referendum.
The Bank of England governor Mark Carney has clarified comments he made on the upcoming EU referendum.
Bank of England says Brexit will 'probably' send the pound plunging – live updateshttps://t.co/nxlCk3qZk0pic.twitter.com/2y2iYzucWK
— Mirror Politics (@MirrorPolitics) 16 juin 2016
The director of the Vote Leave campaign, Bernard Jenkin MP, wrote to Carney to complain that his statement claiming that a “technical recession” would result if the UK left the EU was beyond his remit and broke rules prohibiting public comment.
Pleased to see the #Brexit flotilla making its way past Parliament today. pic.twitter.com/muTy0J0mAD
— Bernard Jenkin (@bernardjenkin) June 15, 2016
Carney replied that Jenkin’s letter contained “numerous and substantial mistakes” adding his personal opinion would remain such and any statement the bank made was in line with its statutory responsibilities.
Bank of England says Brexit will 'probably' send the pound plunging – live updateshttps://t.co/nxlCk3qZk0pic.twitter.com/2y2iYzucWK
— Mirror Politics (@MirrorPolitics) 16 juin 2016
He added that the bank has a duty to report its “evidence-based judgements” to parliament and the wider public.
Bank officials saw Jenkin’s letter as an implied threat to gag the institution and the governor simply highlighted the bank’s legitimate area of comment.