Dr Leunig had initially refused to come to the city for a public debate because he feared for his safety. In the days after the report was published, he received hundreds of emails, around a third of which threatened violence, and some labelling him a paedophile.

But he said he accepted the cathedral’s invitation because the venue offered everyone space to air their views.

He added: “I want to be able to explain what I think is true, and I think that substance is true, to clarify things and for people to understand what I’m saying. I had clearly upset a lot of people, and at times like that it’s important you don’t run away.”

But, after being asked if there was anything in the report he would change, he replied: “No. I can’t think of anything.

“Every year, there will be a new year’s worth of data. It’s possible that there’s one other year’s data available somewhere. But I doubt they would change the overall picture since [the data] covers 10 years.”

Last night, Dr Leunig and Prof Robertson each gave 15-minute speeches before being grilled by a panel including Culture supremo Phil Redmond and city council leader Cllr Warren Bradley.

Earlier this week, cathedral manager, Canon Justin Welby, said he thought Dr Leunig could feel like the “Lion in the den of Daniels” during the debate, because there would be far more opponents than supporters.

“I’m not sure of the theology of that one to be honest,” Dr Leunig said. “I’m not going to eat anyone. I’m expecting it to be rigorous. But I don’t think it’s going to descend into farce or violence.”

Dr Leunig denied the backlash had changed how he approached either his academic work – he is researching 17th-century migration at the London School of Economics – or his policy advice.

“I know now that if you write something you may get accused of being a paedophile. If you had told me that I would be accused of being a paedophile, I would not have believed you,” he continued.

Crowds response in cathedral

DR LEUNIG enjoyed two bouts of applause during his prepared address. The first was after his apology – “I’m grateful for this opportunity. It was never our intention to upset anyone and we regret it tremendously,” he said.

The second was when he sat down.

For the rest of his speech, the audience – 250, maybe 300 in number – sat listening attentively.

The boffin had to face down no baying mob nor duck flying chairs. This was one of God’s greatest houses, after all.

And Cities Unlimited, he said, was only doing the Christian thing by telling the truth, no matter how harsh.

“Christianity is at the heart of my report.

“I wish the truth was different.” Liverpool turned the other cheek.

Stood at the podium and hunched against an almighty backdrop, Leunig pushed his hands into his pockets. His clipped Kentish tones – honed, we were told, in Chatham, the “compost heap” in the garden of England – beat out the sermon: more people fly to more places more often via Heathrow. Ergo, Liverpool should move brick-by-brick to Luton.

“And yes,” he added, “I stand by my report”.

benschofield