NEWPORT politicians and a union official have hit out at the minister responsible for the fate of the Newport passport office who has maintained his stance in spite of overwhelming opposition.

Immigration minister Damian Green refused to budge on plans to shut the city centre institution, even when faced with the thousands of signatures on the Argus Save Our Passport Office petition.

The backlash follows Mr Green's response to our editor Gerry Keighley's letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, as part of the campaign.

Despite the strength of feeling shown by more than 24,000 people who signed our petition handed into 10 Downing Street last month, calling on the home secretary Theresa May to keep Wales’ passport office open, Mr Green remains steadfast.

Although Mr Green acknowledged the concern expressed by those who signed the Argus’ petition, he says shutting the office would be the most effective option for achieving the savings needed within Identity and Passport Service, which he says will have an “excess capacity” of 350 staff by spring 2012.

Newport West MP Mr Flynn, said the letter “doesn’t fill me with confidence that the people of Newport are being listened to," adding: “Certainly hitting an area with the difficulties that Newport has is grossly unfair and indefensible.”

Mr Green said Newport would still have a counter service employing 45, but Mr Green omits to mention the likely grave economic impact of the loss of 250, if not more, well-paid jobs on a city badly affected by the economic crisis.

Mrs Morden, MP for Newport East, said: “What is outrageous is there is no reference in his letter to the impact of job losses on people in the city of Newport.”

President of the IPS group within the Public and Commercial Services union, Paul McGoay, said elected politicians should listen to the electorate. “Mr Green’s letter clearly shows that he is unwilling to do so, despite having heard the voice of the people,” he said.