CALLS for UK government ministers to visit the threatened Newport passport office were made again yesterday after Wales’ first minister toured the site.

On Friday Carwyn Jones became the only senior politician to speak to staff at the facility since the UK government announced closure plans, which the Argus is campaigning against, in October.

Workers welcomed the visit but union organiser Ben Rapier asked why immigration minister Damian Green, who is responsible for the office’s fate, has not done the same.

His concerns were echoed by Newport East assembly member John Griffiths, who reiterated calls for the Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan to attend.

She previously told Mr Griffiths that it would be inappropriate for her to come to the Upper Dock Street-site.

Mr Jones made the visit with Newport AMs Mr Griffiths and Rosemary Butler to express his support for the office remaining open in Newport.

Although his Welsh Assembly Government has no power to stop the closure of the office, which is run by a London UK government agency, he said he would help suggest alternatives.

Mr Rapier, branch organiser for the Public and Commercial Services union, said staff were pleased to voice their fears for their jobs with Mr Jones.

But he added that Mr Green was yet to respond to calls to visit, and said he was out of touch with the people of Newport and Wales.

“I urge him to take note of the letters and petitions he has received as well as today’s visit and halt this closure,” he said.

Welsh secretary Mrs Gillan should be fighting Wales’ corner but doesn’t want to come along to the office, Mr Griffiths said.

He said: “Is her heart in this fight for the Newport Passport Office or not?”

His Newport West assembly counterpart Mrs Butler also called for talks between the Identity and Passport Service and the union to be extended beyond the cut-off date of January 18.

She said an extension would allow more work to be done on alternatives, adding: “They don’t appear to have done a reasonable consultation in my view.”