A NEWPORT Liberal Democrat campaigner has branded a suggestion to ban rough sleepers from the city centre as “social cleansing”.

Paul Halliday, standing as a candidate in Newport East during the Assembly elections next year, responded against a public consultation the council has launched looking at what people would like to see banned in the city centre.

In the consultation, people are asked whether they think things including fly-posting, begging, dogs off the lead, leaflet distribution, charity canvassing and pavement advertising boards should be allowed in a designated central area.

But Mr Halliday said the questions are biased and was particularly concerned by the question on homeless people, worded: “There should be no rough sleeping in the city centre - this has sometimes led to fires, criminal damage and abandoned drugs materials, rough sleepers need help and support.”

People were asked to answer yes or no about whether they agreed to each question.

But Mr Halliday said: “This is the biggest joke of a consultation that I’ve ever seen. The whole point of a consultation is to find out what local people want, not to decide beforehand and ask questions just to get the answer you want. The questions are designed in such a way to make you feel bad if you don’t answer the way the Labour council want you to.

“The question leads the public to a specific conclusion about rough sleepers.

"Newport council doesn’t have an emergency shelter leaving many rough sleepers with nowhere else to go, with much of the charity run support being based in the city centre.

“The council’s attitude towards rough sleepers in the city is nothing short of disgusting. Instead of looking for solutions the council would rather brand them as druggies and criminals.

"I’ve never seen a more blatant attempt at social cleansing in our city.”

A Newport City Council spokesman said: "Newport City Council is carrying out a meaningful consultation on an important topic for the people of Newport. The Council invites feedback on the content of its consultation and welcomes ideas and proposals in addition to those being put forward.

"Residents will be aware that a consultation is a regulatory process by which the public's input on matters affecting them is sought. Its main goals are improving the efficiency, transparency and public involvement in decisions made by the council.

"It is standard practice in any consultation to publicise the matter to be consulted on, as well as inviting participation involving interest groups in the drafting of the final policy. The topics being consulted on, including rough sleeping, are the most frequent concerns reported by the public to both Gwent Police and Newport City Council."

The council has already received150 responses and the consultation runs until October 5.

Visit newport.gov.uk to take part.