FARMING subsidies, asylum and standards in public life were among the questions faced by Newport election candidates at a public meeting in the town last night.

They also faced questions on Christian broadcasting, and the persecution of Christians around the world.

Almost 100 people attended the meeting organised by Churches Together - an umbrella group for Christian groups in Newport - to see a selection of candidates.

The cloud hanging over the future of Deputy First Minister Mike German, stirred up by a question from Stow Hill Tory Bill Routley, provoked the most lively clashes.

Lib Dem candidate Veronica Watkins - who works for Mr German at the Assembly - defended her boss, while Plaid Cymru's Tony Salkeld called for him to stand down.

"When the police look at this they will see there is no case to be answered. There is no formal investigation, and until that time Mike German will stay as deputy first minister," said Ms Watkins.

On farming, a question on the merits of subsidies stirred Paul Flynn. "If we could re-name Llanwern, 'Llanwern Farm' it would be fine," he said. "We want to see root and branch reform. The problem farmers have isn't lack of subsidies. Subsidies are the cause of the problem." He highlighted the example of New Zealand, where subsidies no longer exist.

European studies lecturer and Communist candidate Robert Griffiths said: "Labour and Tory governments have failed to reform that policy." A question on asylum - previously thought to be one of the most controversial topics on the agenda - failed to spark any great excitement as all candidates strove to appear responsible.

Plaid's Madoc Batcup blamed "government incompetence" for creating the situation where asylum-seekers are housed at Cardiff prison. Conservative Ian Oakley, the youngest candidate in Wales, said the Tories were not the villains Labour portray them as and said the party's tradition was of providing refuge to those who need it.

A disagreement over whether or not to pray at the beginning or end of the meeting, held in the Bethel Community Church, was diffused by chairman Malcolm Phillips, who kept the meeting in impeccable order. The meeting was also attended by Bill Morgan (Conservative), Alistair Cameron (Lib Dem) and Tony Salkeld (Plaid).

The UK Independence Party, Socialist Labour Party and British National Party are all intending to stand in either Newport East or West.