Update
One person who could give an independent account of a blazing row in the mayoral suite of Sutherland Shire Council chambers is keeping mum.
Council general manager Scott Phillips was in his nearby office when he heard the commotion and came to to investigate.
Mr Phillips declined to comment to the Leader.
Earlier
A bitter battle for Liberal preselection for the seat of Hughes began with Craig Kelly’s office manager being asked to leave Sutherland Shire Council chambers after a heated argument.
In a further development, Mr Kelly would not rule out standing as an independent if he was unsuccessful in the contest.
Mr Kelly, who has held the seat since 2010 is being challenged by shire councillor Kent Johns and a third candidate, Michael Medway.
It is understood Mr Johns’s supporters include Cr Pesce, former deputy mayor Hassan Awada and former shire councillor and Liberal Party identity Matt Daniel.
Mr Kelly’s office manager Frank Zumbo had a heated discussion about the preselection during drinks in the mayor’s suite after last week’s council meeting.
Sources said, during the conversation which lasted about 20 minutes, Mr Zumbo promised political retaliation if Cr Pesce continued to support Mr Johns.
Cr Pesce was heard to say loudly, “Don’t threaten me”, sources said.
General manager Scott Phillips, who was in his nearby office, heard the commotion and came out to investigate.
Mr Zumbo said Cr Pesce asked him to leave the building, but denied Mr Phillips escorted him out.
“Scott walked down the stairs behind me as a matter of courtesy to make sure I knew how to get out because of the late hour,” he said.
Mr Zumbo denied threatening Cr Pesce, saying it was “a robust, private discussion between Carmelo and me”.
Cr Pesce declined to comment.
Mr Kelly said he heard there had been an argument, but did not know the details.
Mr Kelly would not rule out running as an independent if he failed to win preselection.
He denied telling people he would take that course of action, but that the idea had been suggested to him.
Mr Kelly said, if he lost, his principal focus would be on representing Hughes for the rest of the term.
He said he would do this as a Liberal, but indicated he would be more open to crossing the floor on legislation.
Mr Kelly said he had the support of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the preselection contest.
Mt Turnbull intervened to save Mr Kelly before the last election, forcing Mr Johns to abort his proposed nomination.
However, Mr Johns’s supporters are confident there will be no intervention by Mr Turnbull this time.
