Corporation of Hamilton alderman William Black claimed last night his colleagues were "just out to hang me" after he was deposed as Deputy Mayor.

The 70-year-old former policeman was demoted by Mayor Sutherland Madeiros and replaced with alderman Courtland Boyle at a meeting on Tuesday after Corporation members decided he should no longer be the second-ranking official in the city.

Mr. Black told The Royal Gazette members turned on him after he refused to withdraw a complaint he made about the eligibility of alderman David Dunkley and common councillor Graeme Outerbridge to serve — a matter now under investigation by the Corporation's lawyers.

Mr. Black, who ran a security business in Hamilton before he retired and was appointed Deputy Mayor in December 2006, said: "I just don't like the way it's been done. They are just out to hang me because I wouldn't withdraw. It's just sad, absolutely sad."

He claimed the Corporation was in turmoil with members unable to agree on issues around the table and badly lacking focused management.

"The Corporation is like a ship with no rudder or a ship with no captain," said the father-of-five and grandfather. "It's just waving around in the ocean.

There's a lot of complaints from construction workers, contract workers, business people, the Police."

Mr. Black told this newspaper he made the complaint about Mr. Dunkley and Mr. Outerbridge after three "taxpayers in the City of Hamilton" approached him separately.

He passed the information to the Mayor who made the original complaint but then withdrew it when he realised it was lodged in his name. Mr. Black resubmitted it himself at the end of last year and is now awaiting the outcome from Corporation Secretary Kelly Miller.

The members under investigation claim to be the victims of a "witch hunt" which Mr. Outerbridge has alleged was instigated by Mr. Madeiros.

Mr. Black denied that yesterday. He said he had nothing personal against the pair but simply felt that things should be done by the book. "I can assure you that it was no witch hunt. Period."

The investigation centres around whether Mr. Dunkley and Mr. Outerbridge are "beneficial occupants" of the city and therefore eligible to vote and stand for office. Both say they are but Mr. Black claims neither is a genuine occupant of a property. He admitted yesterday he visited Mr. Outerbridge's landlord at Mercury House to try to establish his eligibility.

This newspaper understands that Corporation members unanimously agreed that Mr. Black should go and that some disagree with his version of events, blaming his departure on his conduct with regard to the complaint.

Mr. Black said pressure was put on him at a meeting last week to withdraw the complaint and he reluctantly agreed but later changed his mind.

He emailed all members a statement refusing, arguing that they were asking him to "sacrifice my reputation and abandon my principles". His fall came on Tuesday when Mr. Madeiros, he said, told him at a meeting: "Bill, I'm appointing Courtland Boyle."

Asked if he felt betrayed, Mr. Black, who publicly supported the Mayor when other members were calling for his resignation last month but signed a letter in 2006 calling for Mr. Madeiros to step down, replied: "Oh yes."

He added that he would continue as alderman and intended to stand for election again next year.

The Corporation issued a press release revealing none of the behind-the-scenes drama late yesterday afternoon. It simply confirmed Mr. Boyle's appointment as Deputy Mayor, a position which will see him take responsibility for the Corporation when the Mayor is off island.

In the release, businessman Mr. Boyle said he was honoured to take the position. Mr. Madeiros said he was delighted to appoint Mr. Boyle and thanked Mr. Black for his "valuable contribution to the city". The Mayor could not be reached for further comment last night.

Mr. Dunkley told this newspaper he supported Mr. Boyle's appointment one hundred percent. Asked if Mr. Black was unfairly treated, he said: "I don't know about that."

Mr. Outerbridge and common councillor Kathryn Gibbons declined to comment. Councillors Pamela Ferreira and W. Carvel VanPutten could not be reached.