Is Williams the defamatory mayor too?

Mayor Andrew Williams has been very active on Facebook as of late. He'd need to be; on current polling, just 1% of voters support his bid for the Auckland mayoralty. And he's made a few "interesting" allegations about people who refuse to kow-tow to him. We won't repeat them; that would merely add to the smears.

But it would seem that the mayor of North Shore might have a problem, given that the allegations appear to be without foundation - the North Shore Times reports:

Two leading political figures have hit back at mayor Andrew Williams who launched a vitriolic attack on them this week.

In an emailed press release, Mr Williams says councillor Chris Darby and former councillor Gary Holmes "have no scruples and will stoop to anything".

He goes on to say: "They are the two of the worst individuals I have had to deal with in my nine years of local government."

Oh dear. Wouldn't it be a shame if Andrew Williams' last public act was to be an appearance in the courts facing a suit for defamation? Gary Holmes has refuted Williams' allegations - read on:

Former councillor Mr Holmes is standing for the the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board. He recently stood down as general manager of the North Harbour Business Association.

Mr Williams alleges the reasons for Mr Holmes' resignation were of a financial nature. The allegations were repeated in an anonymous email received by the North Shore Times a day later.

Mr Holmes says the allegations are "categorically untrue and I refute those suggestions totally.

"As reported on the association's website, and as NHBA chairman Graham Boult has confirmed, we agreed to part ways amicably after a divergence of views on processes and the way forward."

Mr Boult confirmed Mr Holmes' comments when contacted by the North Shore Times.

"Mayor Andrew Williams has also accused me of covert political activities with Cameron Slater, an Albany ward candidate for council," Mr Holmes says.

Mr Slater is a blogger who has been highly critical of Mr Williams over the past three years.

"I have met Mr Slater on at least three occasions at candidate meetings and as they were always in the presence of other candidates and members of the public. I'm not sure how they can be deemed to be covert," Mr Holmes

"The politically motivated actions and unsubstantiated allegations of mayor Williams and others who are too cowardly to identify themselves say more about their character than they do about mine."

Cr Chris Darby has held back either:

Mr Darby says the mayor is the last person who should be passing judgement on ethics and behaviour.

Earlier this year Mr Williams made headlines after he was seen urinating on a tree outside the council headquarters after drinking in two bars.

Just months into his mayoralty Mr Williams received national media attention after lashing out at an ambulance officer after he collapsed at a navy function.

He has also been under fire for sending angry late-night emails, including some to Prime Minister John Key.

Mr Darby says Mr Williams has "had a sorry time as mayor and that's now coming to an end. He's scrambling for attention".

"It's par for the course for Andrew. The language at this level is how he operates. It's the belligerence and bullying we have seen for a long period."

Andrew Williams reckons he has "conclusive evidence" to support his allegations, but we've heard that one before from him. The sooner that the election results are announced and that it is confirmed that Andrew Williams has been dumped from public life by the thinking voters of Auckland and the Albany Ward, the better, in our ever-humble opinion.