A NEWPORT city councillor named in an FBI child porn probe spoke of his anguish as allegations continue to hang over him.

Dean Jenkins says he has received "complete support" from his fellow councillors and constituents.

He said: "I have had nothing but a positive response from people. Everyone has been completely supportive of me."

The 43-year-old ward member for Graig was arrested in December as part of the Operation Ore investigation into Internet child pornography. The operation is the UK's largest-ever police hunt for Internet paedophiles, which has so far netted more than 1,300 arrests from a list of 6,000 suspects.

It is the British end of the US Justice Department's Operation Avalanche - sparked by the arrest of a Texas computer consultant subsequently jailed in 2002 for running an Internet child porn ring.

Credit card details used to access his material gave police leads on 250,000 people worldwide.

The names they had included that of Councillor Jenkins, who is alleged to have accessed an unsuitable site in 1999.

He denies any knowing wrongdoing, saying it was an "innocent mistake." Police are still investigating and it will be at least another month before he knows whether any charges are to be brought against him.

He said: "It has been very difficult. You can't plan anything or do anything and it's really dragged on.

"My life has been put on hold but I've just plodded along. Now I've decided I might as well get on with life."

The call centre worker from Lower Machen was suspended from the local Conservative group following his arrest, although he has continued with his council duties.

He says he remains sure he will be exonerated of any wrongdoing. He said: "I'm confident that it will all be cleared up soon." A spokeswoman for Gwent police said: "We are still investigating Mr Jenkins and inquiries are continuing."