Anger at alleged outburst aimed at city's residents

An unnamed Newcastle councillor has been accused of disparaging the city's residents in an expletive-laden outburst.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

Politicians have been left angry over comments allegedly made in a private online meeting between councillors and senior civic centre officials last week.

It is claimed that the "extremely offensive" remarks were made during a call to discuss controversial proposals to reform how the council works, which have been branded a "death knell for democracy" amid anger over suggestions of cutting some scrutiny hearings and banning opposition members from asking questions at cabinet meetings.

In response to independent councillor Marc Donnelly saying during the online briefing session on April 24 that residents should be consulted on any shake-up of the council's governance, another councillor is alleged to have replied: "F*** right off, the residents know s****." The Journal has spoken to numerous members of different political affiliations who were present at the meeting and confirmed that they heard the foul-mouthed remark, which is thought to have been made by someone without realising their microphone was switched on.