
LABOR councillors have lashed out at Newcastle's new lord mayor Ross Kerridge, accusing him of breaking "the public's trust before even taking his oath of office" because he wants Labor party dissident and the author of a 104-page dossier detailing alleged bullying within the party, Andrew Piper, to be the council's temporary chief of staff.
The Newcastle Herald has confirmed Mr Piper has attended meetings with Cr Kerridge but denies claims he introduced himself to council staff as the "lord mayor's chief of staff".