Waverley Council meeting stopped over ‘bullying’ claims against mayor

A Waverley councillor has launched a scathing attack against the mayor during a fiery exchange at last night’s meeting, labelling John Wakefield “bias” and “a bully”.

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Debate at last night’s Waverley Council meeting had to be stopped after a fiery exchange between former mayor Sally Betts and current Mayor John Wakefield turned ugly.

The pair had engaged in verbal sparring throughout the course of the meeting, though things came to a head when Cr Betts called the mayor “bias” and “a bully” and repeatedly refused to apologise.

“Your abusive, snide remarks … I require an apology for bringing my chairing into disrepute by claiming that I have a bias,” Cr Wakefield said.

“Mister mayor I require an apology from you for your bullying tone to me,” Cr Betts replied. “A bully is a bully.”

Cr Betts and mayor John Wakefield were locked in a heated debate.

The meeting was forced to be adjourned as the debate reached a boiling point.

The pair had locked heads earlier in the meeting over claims the council was using millions of dollars in its reserves to balance the budget for the next financial year.

“I will not apologise to you for bullying me because there is on tape many, many times you have attempted to bully me,” Cr Betts continued.

The former mayor eventually withdrew her comment when the meeting resumed, though said she found it “intimidating” when Mayor Wakefield raised his voice.