CITY councillors overwhelmingly backed a proposal to support a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal.

Green Party group leader Craig Simmons had asked the authority to support a second EU vote – because recent negotiations have ‘alienated both Remainers and Brexiteers alike’.

He said Brexit is already impacting on Oxford and that earlier on Monday, a European-based potential partner for the environmental consultancy that he works for had pulled out of a possible deal because of Brexit.

In an occasionally heated debate, Labour’s Alex Hollingsworth said he was opposed to a People’s Vote – and Brexit – because the error was holding a referendum on such a ‘complex’ issue in 2016. That difficulty and complexity would not be rectified by simply holding another, he said.

Later, Lib Dem group leader Andrew Gant said: “It is a shame that many Labour councillors have followed Labour’s lead nationally, supporting the Conservatives in their pursuit of a hard Brexit or dithering with people’s future.

“It’s now time that Anneliese Dodds MP supports her Oxford East constituents and comes out in support of a People’s Vote, just as Layla Moran MP has.”

In total, 34 councillors voted in support of the People’s Vote, six opposed it and two members – including council leader Susan Brown – abstained.