AN ANTI-Brexit campaigner claims a decision to ‘ban’ a bus parking in Oxford city centre next week is an attack on free speech.

City group Oxford for Europe has worked with other pro-EU groups to organise the Brexit: Is it worth it? bus’s visit to Broad Street as part of a national tour next Monday.

But in emails seen by the Oxford Mail, Oxfordshire County Council’s civil enforcement manager Helen Crozier said permission cannot be granted because it needs to 'remain neutral' over 'any political activities on the highway’.

Councillor John Tanner, who is secretary of the Oxford European Association, said: “This is an extraordinary attack on free speech by Oxfordshire County Council and I hope they will think again.

“Whatever people’s views about Europe it is vital they can be aired in public. To ban an information bus from parking in Broad Street for half an hour is just silly.”

Mr Tanner said the rally – which is scheduled to take place at 2.15pm, with the bus arriving at 2.45pm – is still expected to go ahead.

Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder, who is due to talk at the event, tweeted about the bus this morning:

Martin Crabtree, Oxfordshire County Council spokesman, said: "The county council cannot permit political advertising on the highway, whether it is signs or vehicles parked on the road for an event."