THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called for the resignation of the Lord Sugar, the government’s ‘enterprise tsar’ (left).
Responding to a series of comments made by Lord Sugar about small businesses at meetings around the country, the FSB’s National Council was unanimous in its agreement that Lord Sugar’s position was no longer tenable. The ruling body of the organisation made the announcement following its meeting on 4 November.
FSB Peterborough branch chairman Colin Parnell said: “The Federation of Small Businesses is extremely disappointed by the comments made recently by Lord Sugar about small firms.
“Despite being appointed by the government to champion business in the UK, Lord Sugar seems to have no grasp of the hard work small businesses do and the role they play in employing six in 10 of the country’s private sector workforce and contributing to more than half of UK GDP.
“Lord Sugar appears to have let his TV personality from The Apprentice take over and the language he has used to describe this country’s small business owners is hardly appropriate given his current role.
“Members of the FSB have been in touch to complain about Lord Sugar’s recent performances around the country and we have to call that he resign from his position. We urge the Prime Minister to appoint someone with a greater understanding of, and more empathy for, the small business sector.”
An interview with Lord Sugar broadcast by BBC Look East across the Peterborough region had to have several swear words ‘bleeped-out’ during the news report at 10:35pm on 4 November when Lord Sugar became irritated with the reporter’s questions about business in the region.