Former Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Kelly Miller threatened the municipality with legal action and accused the Mayor of "unprecedented interference" in a blistering ten-page letter to all members.

Ms Miller, who left her job last month, claimed Sutherland Madeiros "has spent the majority of his time creating division between members and between staff" since being elected the City's highest ranking official in October, 2006.

Mr. Madeiros refuted her claims this week. He said: "I hate being painted as a bad person when I do everything in my power to do things right.

"I am trying to get people to work together, not against each other."

Ms Miller claimed the Mayor made "inappropriate personal remarks" to her, undermined her authority and plotted with others to get rid of her while he was still an Alderman — all charges he denies.

The letter includes a litany of complaints about Mr. Madeiros' leadership and reveals the poisonous atmosphere at City Hall in recent months where, according to Ms Miller, members spent meetings hurling "unsubstantiated accusations".

It was passed to The Royal Gazette by former Common Councillor Graeme Outerbridge, who believes Ms Miller was unfairly treated.

Ms Miller's letter was sent on February 4 this year and shows how managers were at loggerheads with each other over delayed projects such as installing adequate city lighting and completing Jubilee Park.

The former Secretary complained of being overworked and understaffed and accused the Mayor of overusing her personal assistant so she did "less and less work for me".

Ms Miller claimed a decision by members to tape record a confidential meeting held to hear allegations about her and pass the tape to another member of staff was "a violation of my right to privacy".

"I reserve any and all rights to take whatsoever actions may become necessary against the Corporation of Hamilton and its members as individuals," she wrote.

Another letter — sent by Mr. Outerbridge to all members on February 28 — described a Corporation meeting at which he alleged former Alderman William Black referred to Ms Miller under his breath as a "f***ing bitch".

Mr. Black strongly refutes that claim and told this newspaper: "That never happened."

Ms Miller's letter contains an accusation that the Mayor, Mr. Black and the late Jay Bluck, Mr. Madeiros' predecessor as Mayor, held meetings in May 2006 with staff who were "encouraged to make allegations about me".

Mr. Black told this newspaper that was false. "There were no secret meetings," he said. "She was dismissed when the late Jay Bluck was in office. I went away and when I came back she was still there. I certainly wasn't satisfied with her performance and I have never been."

Mr. Madeiros said: "I don't think anybody plotted. There were discussions about replacing her."

The three men's attempt at "constructive dismissal" was unethically carried out while she was on sick leave, Ms Miller alleged in her letter.

Financial statements show that more than $6,000 was spent obtaining legal advice on how to get rid of her.

The former Secretary said in her letter that other elected members interfered in things, causing some staff to consider resigning.

But her most serious criticism was reserved for Mr. Madeiros, whom she painted as an indecisive and officious boss who would "take no advice", refused to appoint an Assistant Secretary to help her and "made some personal remarks that were inappropriate" when she confronted him about the constructive dismissal attempt.

"The Mayor of Hamilton has a clear duty to treat everyone, including staff members, with transparency, respect and impartiality — given this Mayor's failure to do so, I now reserve the right to have representation at any future meetings with him or any members of the Corporation outside of normal business," wrote Ms Miller. She added: "I am deeply concerned that under the current Mayor's leadership he has spent the majority of his time creating division between members and between staff (rather) than ... conducting the business of the Corporation and the many issues facing it."

Mr. Madeiros described the letter as an "attack" written in the heat of the moment and said he was particularly targeted because "if you are in the hot seat, you take most of the hit".

He said he never made inappropriate remarks to Ms Miller and described her claims about him as "off base".

Ms Miller left the Corporation in July after five years as Secretary but the Corporation will not reveal if she was dismissed or resigned.

Mr. Outerbridge said: "Kelly's letter has never been answered.

"My feeling about Kelly is that basically she was so ensnared with not getting the staffing requirements that she needed; when somebody is under incredible stress I don't think they are making the best decisions."

Ms Miller could not be contacted for comment.