A BREXIT debate is being organised with some high-profile political figures lined up to give their views.

Diplomat Thom Reilly, who lives in Liphook, has arranged for Lord Ashdown and Lord Forsyth to present their opposing views at the free-to-attend debate in Haslemere Hall on May 17.

It be chaired by well-known BBC correspondent Jeremy Bowen.

Both speakers will present their positions and the audience will then have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers.

Mr Reilly, who has worked for both the Government and for oil giants Shell, has built up a wide range of political contacts.

Although he is personally a “committed internationalist” who believes strongly in the benefit of the EU, he said: “I would be deeply upset and concerned if the UK voted to leave the EU”. His concern howeveer would be “even greater if that vote was made due to lack of information”.

He said: “I feel strongly it is important for as much information to be made available to individual voters as possible so that their vote on June 23 can be made from the strongest possible position of knowledge.”

He said many people feel they are not being given access to sufficient information about the pros and cons of remaining in the EU with both sides accusing the other of scaremongering.

Mr Reilly said: “I am in a privileged position to be able to do my bit to help ensure my local community gains access to as much information as possible in order to make a better-informed choice on June 23.”

He is hoping to fill Haslemere Hall with people eager to hear about the pros and cons of remaining in the EU.

The debate will take place between 7.30 and 9pm. Entry is free, though numbers are limited to 350 people.

Mr Reilly said: “On June 23, the UK will vote whether to remain in the EU or to leave it.

“Opinions across the country are sharply divided, with families and political parties splitting over the issue.

“This is the greatest and most important political decision this country has faced in a generation: making the right choice will shape the future and destiny of every person in the UK.”

Lord Ashdown will present the “remain” argument and Lord Forsyth will present the case to “leave”.

Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon – known as Paddy Ashdown when leader of the Liberal Democrat Party from 1988 until 1999 – also served as a diplomat.

The former Royal Marine served as an intelligence officer in the UK Security Services prior to becoming an MP in 1983. Lord Ashdown left Parliament in 2001 to serve as International High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2002-06.

Lord Ashdown has received national recognition for his services by appointment as KCMG in 2006 and as a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in 2015

Baron Forsyth of Drumlean is a British financier and politician, who was the MP for Stirling from 1983-1997. Lord Forsyth served as Secretary of State for Scotland in PM John Major’s Cabinet from 1995-97.

Lord Forsyth is a director of J&J Denholm and Secure Trust Bank.

He was a director and chairman of Hyperion Insurance Group until its merger with RKH Group in 2015.

He is a former deputy chairman of JP Morgan UK and Evercore Partners International. Lord Forsyth was knighted in 1997 and appointed to the House of Lords in 1999.

The Privy Council member served on the development boards of the Royal Society and the National Portrait Gallery. He is a past president of the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland.