Allegations that a serial letter-to-the-editor writer in Newcastle is a close friend of the council’s CEO have led to calls for an independent investigation.
The Newcastle Herald revealed the relationship between Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath, and a long term letter contributor, Scott Neylon, who the paper describes as having led a decade long misleading campaign about goings on in the city.
The Herald reports that Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has taken an interest in the matter, and will formally request that Mayor Nuatali Nelmes undertake an investigation.
That call has been supported by local MP Sonia Hornery, described as a primary target of recent letters. She is calling for an independent party to be appointed to look into the matter.
Mr Bath has denied any involvement in the letters, and Mr Neylon told the Herald that Mr Bath had not asked him to write them.