THE Labour leader of Newport council Bob Bright has hit back at claims by the leader of the opposition that he was rude over the proposals for sporting heroes.

Cllr Bright said there have been no approaches to his office or any officers for more details on the freedom of the city for the surviving members of the 1963 Newport RFC team and the Newport County team.

He said he hoped the public spat would not taint the accolade.

Although he welcomed the honour, Tory leader at the council Matthew Evans had complained that the opposition group should have been consulted on the move ahead of Cllr Bright's announcement.

Members of Newport Council are set to discuss whether to grant the honours at full council tonight[TUES].

Cllr Bright said he felt it was important the proposal went to the July council meeting with the football season starting in August: "It is traditional for the leader of the council to propose honours such as these.

"I felt that, with the football season due to begin in early August, it was important that the proposal went to the July council meeting where we would expect it to be passed unanimously."

He said Cllr Evans' remarks were "disappointing" and said he could have spoken to him privately.

"It is not about who told who what but about the people who worked so hard to gain success," Cllr Bright said.

"I had thought that this would be overwhelmingly supported as a good thing for this sporting city and I hope this unseemly public spat does not taint the accolade for those who will be receiving it, if the proposal gets the backing it deserves," he added.