CHI Onwurah, the shadow minister for business, innovation and skills, is set to argue the case for Britain remaining in Europe at The Northern Echo’s EU Referendum debate tomorrow.

The Newcastle MP will be one of the three expert panellists appearing for the ‘in’ campaign at the event to be held at the Centre for Process Innovation, in Darlington.

The case for leaving Europe will be led by Kevin Dowd, professor of finance and economics at Durham University Business School and a leading exponent of the Brexit argument.

Also appearing on the panel for the ‘in’ campaign will be Jessie Joe Jacobs, North-East field director for the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign, and Ian Stark, chief executive officer of Chemoxy International, one of the largest independent contract manufacturers in Europe.

Sitting alongside Prof Dowd will be David Campbell, a professor at Lancaster University Law School and Andrew Saunders, the North-East regional chairman of Business for Britain – which puts the business case for leaving.

The event, which is co-hosted with Hewitts solicitors, is aimed at the North-East business community.

Ms Jacobs said: “In excess of 100,000 North-East jobs rely on our trade with EU countries and 56 per cent of our exports go to Europe. We are the only UK region with a positive balance of trade and we have our tariff-free access to the single market to thank for that.

“Vote Leave ask you to take a leap into the dark at a time when the North-East is battling the country’s highest unemployment rate. A Remain vote is a vote for security, for jobs and for prosperity.”

Mr Saunders replied: “When we leave the EU opportunities for businesses to export will grow exponentially as the British Government will regain the power to negotiate our own trade deals with other economic powers such as the United States, Canada, India and other commonwealth countries. “ Brenda Davidson, the managing partner at Hewitts, said businesses would require support whatever the outcome, adding: “Although the precise legal implications of a post-Brexit regime are unclear, both sides agree that it will take several years before Britain is able to disentangle itself from the EU completely.

“Commercial parties are likely to face a fast changing legal landscape with regards to rights and responsibilities.”

n Businesses interested in joining the debate can register at https://eureferendumbusinessdebate.eventbrite.co.uk