HAVE I read correctly your article about domestic abuse (September 2)? Is Newport council setting up an expensive working party to investigate female genital mutilation? This city has gone completely bonkers if that is the case.

How can this be justified when under public protest the council closes leisure facilities? FGM is a disgusting practice — but in a small place like Newport, does it justify a working party?

There would be a lot of protests by now if it was happening with thousands of Newport women.

The first anyone heard about it being local was when a proposal was put before council. We all know the figures quoted to be around the 300,000 mark, but this being national does not merit a state-of-the art, gun-toting council working group.

Councillors, you should be ashamed of yourselves backing this insignificant issue for Newport and closing basic facilities because of lack of finance and savings.

Jim Dyer, Stockton Road, Newport