Peace protesters are calling on Oxford East MP Andrew Smith to take part in a public debate on the Iraq war.

Eight protesters have signed a letter asking Mr Smith to join them for a meeting with George Monbiot, from east Oxford.

Mr Monbiot, a journalist and environmental campaigner, was featured in the Oxford Mail in March, as one of the protesters who demanded Mr Smith's deselection as an MP.

We reported that mounted police were drafted in to protect the MP from 100 demonstrators as he turned up to a meeting at the Asian Culture Centre, in Manzil Way.

In the latest letter, protesters tell Mr Smith: "You have now received at least two requests to participate in a public debate in Oxford concerning the war on Iraq."

They add: "A lot of the lobbying of your meetings is as a result of your reluctance to attend a public debate in which you will have a platform to explain the Government policy on Iraq and answer questions."

It suggests the meeting should have as a chairman Oxford Mail reporter Reg Little, BBC Radio Oxford presenter Bill Heine or BBC television presenter Jeremy Paxman.

Protesters suggested the debate should take place on a Thursday evening and a collection should be made to cover costs for the venue, with any surplus going to Iraq.

The letter has been signed by peace campaigners including Nuala Young, of the Oxford Network for Global Justice and Peace, Matt Sellwood, of Oxford Students Stop the War and the NUS National Environmental Commission, members of the Oxford Quaker Centre, and the city's branch of Amnesty International.

Mr Smith was not available to comment on the letter.