BUSINESS leaders should not have to fear boycotts after accepting invitations to get involved in political debate, a major body representing private companies has said.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland spoke out after John Mason, the SNP MSP, revealed that he has deliberately avoided Barrhead Travel since its founder told staff members he believed independence would be disastrous ahead of the 2014 referendum.

Mr Mason stood by his comments and warned other businesses that they should retain a neutral stance in future, in part because of the possibility of provoking boycotts from those who do not share their views.

He said: "My key point is businesses are wiser not taking sides. Businesses should think twice because of what might happen."

However, a spokesman for FSB Scotland, said: "Over the last few years, Scotland’s business community has regularly been encouraged to get involved in political debate. While people are free to spend their own money as they see fit, we would hope that no smaller firm would lose long-term custom for expressing views or asking questions."

Mr Mason's boycott was ridiculed by political opponents, with the Scottish Liberal Democrats branding him "petulant beyond belief" and Scottish Labour saying the Glasgow Shettleston representative must struggle to go about his day to day business if he avoided every business that expressed doubts about independence.

The SNP has distanced itself from Mr Mason's statements, saying firms were entitled to express opinions and that it did not encourage consumers to make choices based on contributions to political debate.