THE leader of Oxford City Council has apologised after taking four months to write a letter to the city's MPs encouraging them to back a 'People's Vote' on Brexit.
Labour's Susan Brown blamed 'an administrative error' for the delay, but would not clarify whether she was personally in favour of a second referendum, which the council supports.
In a November letter to Labour's Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds, Ms Brown wrote: "This Council wishes to formally add its voice to those calling for a public ‘People’s Vote’ on the final Brexit deal... (and) agrees to write to its MPs asking them to support a People’s Vote."
READ MORE: Oxford city councillors overwhelmingly back second Brexit vote
Ms Dodds replied last month, writing: "I have made clear the fact that (another) referendum may end up being the only way out of a political impasse, and that characterisation of such a vote as a 'politicians' vote' or part of an 'elite establishment' is disingenuous.
"If such a vote is clearly a last resort, it would be more likely to be accepted".
Anneliese Dodds
Labour's position is to consider the option of backing a second referendum if it cannot force a general election.
In June, the city council voted overwhelmingly in favour of backing a 'people's vote', though Ms Brown abstained in the vote.
Oxford For Europe have questioned why it took Ms Brown four months to write letters to the city's MPs following the vote.
In her response to Ms Brown, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran, a Lib Dem, questioned if Ms Brown was 'personally in favour' of a second vote and urged her to help 'convince' Ms Dodds on the issue.
Layla Moran
Councillor Brown, who has previously said Brexit 'poses huge risks and challenges' to the city and called no deal a 'disaster', said: “I have already apologised to council about the administrative error which delayed the sending of letters to Oxford’s MPs, conveying the council’s support for a People’s Vote on Brexit.
"These were nevertheless sent last year and very clearly called on both MPs to back a public ‘People’s Vote’ on the final Brexit deal. The council’s position is clear; my own views are irrelevant.”
An Oxford for Europe spokesman said: “Oxford City Council's overwhelming, all-party vote in July was a much admired and influential initiative which gained wide national attention.
"But Layla Moran has pointedly put the council leader on the spot on three issues: her own personal position about Brexit, Anneliese Dodds' position, and the council's efforts to lobby Anneliese Dodds in favour of a People's Vote on behalf of her constituents.
“Layla Moran's questions are fair and to the point."
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