A ROW has broken out between Newport City Council and Gwent Police over who knew what about a possible zone in Pill where prostitution would be tolerated.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday it emerged ward councillors Omar Ali and Ibrahim Hayat had discussed the idea with police – but had not told the leader of the council about the controversial scheme.

Council leader Bob Bright said yesterday: “I have made no secret of my frustration at the manner in which such an important issue – to consider designating Pill as an area for prostitution – was handled by Gwent Police.

“Neither I nor any officers at Newport City Council were consulted on this proposal to which I am strongly opposed – echoing the sentiments of residents across Newport over the past few days.

“There has also been speculation in this newspaper that the council was asked to approve a press release by Gwent Police. This was certainly not the case.”

He added: “I will be requesting a meeting with Ian Johnston, the independent police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Gwent, to reiterate my concerns over this matter.”

But at Tuesday’s meeting, PCC Ian Johnston claimed officers had kept ward councillors in the loop since April and that police press officers had “developed and agreed” a press release with the council before they sent it out to journalists on an ‘on ask’ basis.

He told Councillor Bright in the meeting: “Look, I’m not here to take part in your political infighting.

“All I’m telling you is the fact that on July 17 there was a press statement agreed by Gwent Police, West Yorkshire Police and Newport City Council.”

The council denied signing off the statement, saying they only received it for reference.

But a spokesman for the PCC said: “No objections or feedback were received from Newport City Council and a week later, on July 24, the police again contacted the council’s press office to advise that an enquiry had been received and that they were now intending to issue the statement.

"Again, no adverse comment were received and the statement was released in the belief that relevant partners were aware.”

Pill councillor Omar Ali told the Argus: “There was no need to speak to Bob Bright about it because it was a non-starter.

“It was just way off the radar. I struggle to think of a non-residential area of Pill.

“Cllr Hayat and I obviously rejected the idea completely out of hand – there are more children in Pill than any other ward in the city.

“All this has done is further stigmatise Pill – it’s never-ending. We are trying to sell the positives about Pill and its diverse community.”