GWENT Police have denied claims made by anti-Nato protestors that the force threatened to close down a Newport pub if it hosts any more of the campaigners’ meetings or events.

No Nato Newport, an umbrella protest group against next week’s Nato summit, posted on Twitter yesterday: “Following intimidation from @gwentpolice we are no longer able to hold events at @ThePenandWig”

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said there was no truth in the allegations and that the landlord of the Pen and Wig had confirmed that the pub had not been threatened with closure.

Pippa Bartolotti, leader of the Wales Green Party, however told the Argus today: “All I can say is one of the managers from the Pen and Wig rang me and told me the news yesterday that the police have been in contact with them and asked them not to hold any No Nato Newport meetings there and if they did they would surround the place and close it down.

“I repeated that back to check my understanding. I’m just repeating what I heard. I have tried to get in touch with the manager to confirm but I haven’t been able to talk to him.”

No Nato Newport has been holding meetings at the Stow Hill pub since February.

The Pen and Wig pub declined to comment when approached by the Argus today but yesterday said on Twitter: “No it [Gwent Police] hasn't, massive confusion I've tried to contact Pippa, nothing like that was ever said."

Gwent Police ‏also replied on twitter last night: “We didn't. We have no powers to do so, and wouldn't presume to tell someone how to run their business."