PRIVATE sector organisations have pulled out of the North

West Regional Assembly, claiming that their views have been ignored.

The CBI, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors all withdrew from the assembly, which covers an area from Cumbria to Cheshire and is seen as the forerunner of an elected regional government.

FSB North West regional member Charles McKeown said the Federation had hoped to work in partnership with public sector representatives for the good of the region.

"The NWRA remains a very political and politically-driven arena and organisations such as the FSB have to remain non-political," he said.