A CLAIM by Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds that her constituents still favour trying to get the 'least-worst Brexit' rather than stopping the process altogether was vociferously challenged at a heated public meeting.

Others on the panel insisted that Brexit could, and should, still be stopped.

More than 200 people packed the Cowley Road Methodist Centre on Friday night for the two-hour debate organised by Remain campaign group Oxford for Europe.

Journalist Ian Dunt suggested that debates between 'hard' and softer compromise approaches were a healthy sign of strength and diversity in the Remain movement.

Anneliese Dodds – confirming that her personal views are and have always been pro-Remain – came under fierce pressure from the audience and fellow panellists over her voting intentions on a key amendment to the current bill, and Labour's current failure to oppose a hard Brexit.

In a fierce exchange, journalist and campaigner Hugo Dixon pressed the Labour MP specifically on the widely-supported amendment proposed by Conservative MP Dominic Grieve to require an act of Parliament before the UK leaves the EU, thereby ensuring that Parliament gets a meaningful vote.

Ms Dodds claimed she could not yet commit to supporting this without full knowledge of other amendments yet to be proposed.

Liberal Democrat peer and justice spokesperson Jonathan Marks said that the EU Withdrawal Bill would undergo rigorous scrutiny in the Lords and will have no chance of progress there without major amendment.

Asked by Dr Ruvi Ziegler about the failure to guarantee the rights of three million EU27 citizens living in the UK, panellists commented that the 'bargaining chip' policy which has damaged the UK's reputation in Europe had been a personal decision of Theresa May.

The panel was also joined by political scientist Anand Menon, who said that pro-Leave feeling in Labour's northern heartland was still solid.

David Blackman of European Movement (Oxford Area) commented: "All the speakers urged the need for more positive references to the EU: it has been good for business, good for workers' rights, good for security and good for the environment."