The latest Newcastle Council controversy involving CEO Jeremy Bath and a Newcastle Herald letter to the editor writer is turning a spotlight on an ongoing feud between local Labor councillors and an MP.
A decision by Council to endorse an independent investigation into the letter writing scandal during Tuesday night's meeting, reportedly ended in some councillors taking aim at Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery.
Ms. Hornery is now seeking legal advice on possible defamation action, alleging Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Councillor Carol Duncan made untrue and potentially defamatory comments about her.
The Newcastle Herald reports Ms. Hornery has been accused of "waging a campaign against councillors via the media for nearly a year now likely in order to influence internal Labor party disputes", and says investigations into "how confidential electoral roll details about council staff and their friends and family came into the possession of journalists" have been endorsed by some councillors.
Although not revealing what's been directly said about her, Ms. Hornery said the allegations against her are false.
"In terms of any of the allegations, they're untrue," she said.
Speaking at an education doorstop in Jesmond on Thursday, Ms. Hornery said party disagreements shouldn't get in the way of delivering for locals.
"Party politics in any party is always difficult and there will always be people who have different views on things, but I am a member of the Labor party, and I hold the old-fashioned Labor views about opposing privatisation and about focusing on what the community needs in Wallsend; that's what it's all about."
"I want to apologise to our community that this has provided a distraction from our important work to lobby to get the best we can for the Hunter," she said.
