A major trade union is to withdraw from a deal with the Bank of Scotland to market its credit card after the controversy over the bank's links with United States evangelist Mr Pat Robertson. The Manufacturing Science and Finance union said it could no longer remain associated with the scheme following a public outcry over Mr Robertson's remarks about Scotland and gays. The union is giving notice that it will withdraw from an agreement to market Bank of Scotland credit cards to its 420,000 members, even though the bank has officially called off a multi-million pound deal to set up a direct banking scheme in the United States through Mr Robertson's religious TV channel.

MSF general secretary Mr Roger Lyons said: "Our basic philosophy as a union is to promote tolerance in society. We cannot remain associated with a financial institution that appears to take this principle so lightly. We will be seeking an alternative service for our members."

There were strong protests when Mr Robertson described Scotland as a "dark land" and a stronghold of homosexuality. The bank recently wrote to the union explaining its planned venture with Mr Robertson as a way of seeking innovative ways of expanding its market.

The bank told the union: "There has been a highly selective and very biased reporting of some comments culled from those which Mr Robertson has made at various times - apparently derived from the Internet sites of his American political opponents." But since the letter was written, the bank has officially called off the deal with the evangelist.

A Bank of Scotland spokeswoman said: "We have not yet been informed of MSF's wish to transfer their business and we will be having normal discussions with them regarding their affiliation partnership, which is due for renewal in July 2000.

"We anticipate being able to take part in the tendering process nearer the time."

Meanwhile, Mr Peter Tatchell, spokesman for the gay rights group OutRage! called for Mr Robertson to be removed as a non-executive director on the board of Laura Ashley.

The pressure group has written to Laura Ashley's management, saying its customers would be "deeply offended" by the appointment.

He said: "Pat Robertson's bigoted attitudes seem totally incompatible with Laura Ashley's caring, liberal image.

"We are appalled that he has been appointed as a non-executive director of Laura Ashley. Many of Laura Ashley's customers are bound to be deeply offended by his recent diatribes against the people of Scotland and against lesbians and gay men.

"As the Bank of Scotland found to its cost, corporate association with prejudice and discrimination is bad for business."

A spokeswoman for Laura Ashley said: "Pat Robertson was voted on to the board by Laura Ashley shareholders last Thursday by an overwhelming majority. It is completely wrong to say that the Laura Ashley family voted against him in its entirety.

"They hold 11 per cent of the shares and the number of votes cast against Pat Robertson was 1 per cent. "It is not setting up a business arrangement or a business venture with him, as was the case with the Bank of Scotland. What has happened here is that he is a non-executive director on the board. He was appointed for his business experience."