A LABOUR councillor who performs with one of the city's most famous music acts has defended himself from criticism for going on tour.

Rhys Hutchings, who is a member of the Goldie Lookin' Chain which is to embark on a 13-date tour this autumn, has faced calls to stand down with questions raised on whether his residents will be able to get in contact with him.

One person in St Julians asked how ward residents would be able to contact him if the Argus was unable to reach him for comment about how the tour would affect his role at the council.

But Cllr Hutchings has asked people to look at the dates of his tour and draw their own conclusions.

One letter writer to the Argus, Brian Donovan, said the councillor seems a "good guy".

But he added: "If the Argus could not get a comment from him as to how his role as a councillor might affect the tour, what chance will the St Julians ward residents have of contacting him with problems or questions?"

"Obviously he should stand down and be replaced."

A former Tory candidate for St Julains, Vikky Howells, 32, also suggested he should stand down, saying he couldn't perform the role properly while he was touring.

"I don't think he should be able to leave and go on tour and expect to be paid [for being a councillor]," she said.

"He's supposed to be on call but he's not going to be able to if he's in Manchester or Leeds."

Cllr Hutchings said: "People are entitled to their opinion.

"People can look at the tour dates and make their own conclusions as to how my responsibilities are affected."

The original GLC line up are embarking on a tour to mark their tenth anniversary and to peform their new album, Kings of Caerleon.

Shows will take place on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 23rd, 24th and 25th of October, and the November 2.

Newport is not on the tour dates, but one of the shows is taking place in Cardiff.