Mayor Philip Penfold denies bullying claim from former mayor Loretta Baker

Former Maitland mayor Loretta Baker has levelled a stinging allegation she was bullied by the incoming mayor while she was in the top job, but Philip Penfold has hit back at the claim.

New Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold and Labor councillor and former mayor Loretta Baker.

Former Maitland mayor Loretta Baker has levelled a stinging claim she was bullied by incoming mayor Philip Penfold while she was in the top job between 2017 and December last year.

But Mr Penfold denied the allegations and expressed his diappointment in Ms Baker.

The allegation came when The Newcastle News contacted Baker regarding Tuesday’s first council meeting of the year, where a proposed mayoral minute will see Penfold look for the support of fellow councillors to back all of his election promises.

“He’s always been a bully, of course he’s a bully,” Cr Baker said.

Former Maitland mayor Loretta Baker.. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

“There’s ample evidence of that in the way he has treated me over the four years on a webcam, you can see it. And ample evidence on his social media postings. The minute I became mayor, and he wasn’t the mayor, it was just open warfare and not always open. Very nasty actually.”

When contacted, the new mayor said he was disappointed by the comments and hit back at the allegations.

“Rather than making a broad claim, I’d suggest councillor Baker identity specifics to justify her statement, and follow due process within the code of conduct, if she can,” Penfold said.

Baker was elected Maitland’s first female mayor back in September 2017 and it’s been no secret the Labor councillor’s working relationship with Independent Penfold was strained throughout the last term.

The recent council election late last year saw Penfold defeat Baker for the top job – a result that went down to the wire.

“The city was divided. He won by a margin of 556 people. That is not a crushing victory. And it’s not a resounding yes. He ran a negative campaign. Mr Mayor, in the next two years, hopefully will be hoisted on his own petard,” Baker said.

Newly elected Maitland mayor Philip Penfold. Picture: Supplied

Penfold believes Baker’s comments are just a reaction to his recent win but still hopes to have a positive relationship with her in the chamber.

“An election loss can be tough to accept, I get that. It isn’t, however, an excuse to make baseless accusations after the fact. I hope, and expect, to be able to work constructively with Cr Baker during the term,” Penfold said.

Last week councillors were invited to attend a briefing held by Penfold in the lead-up to Tuesday’s first council meeting.

“He held a mock council meeting last Tuesday, which I didn’t go to because I knew what it was going to be like, and he’s put up a whole new set of rules and made it very clear that if you wanted to, on particular debates, he’ll only allow ‘two speak for’ or ‘two speak against’ the motion,” Baker said.

Penfold responded to Bakers take on events, labelling them “unfounded”.

“With regard to her third hand misinterpretation of a statement made at a scheduled briefing she chose not to attend, Cr Baker would be aware that a mayor cannot put a motion after two speakers for and against. It would require a vote of the councillors for it to be put,” Penfold said.