THE boss of Asda has dismissed claims the supermarket giant is taking sides in the independence debate.

Writing in todays's Herald, Asda's chief executive and president Andy Clarke, said the company was neither for nor against independence.

He stressed Asda would continue to do business in an independent Scotland and added that prices would not automatically have to rise.

However he said a separate Scottish business would have to be established in the event of a Yes vote. He also said the new business would lose economies of scale and would face higher costs of doing business.

He called on the Scottish Government to scrap the "large retail levy" - which raises £30million per year from big supermarkets selling alcohol and tobacco - to help level the playing field.

Mr Clarke sought to clarify Asda's position following claims earlier this week that food prices would rise in an independent Scotland.

The big four supermarkets, also including Tesco, Sainsbury and Morrison Rival campaigners came under pressure as rival campaigners seized on the reports.

In today's Agenda column, Mr Clarke writes: "Whether Scotland should be an independent country is not a question for Asda to answer; we are neither for, nor against, independence. For us, the customer is always right."

He added: "Already it costs more money to get groceries to people in Scotland, our taxes are higher and our margins are lower. Our systems are set up for one single UK market. These are not arguments for or against independence, but a simple recognition of the costs that change would bring."

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