An inquiry has been launched into claims that two Corporation of Hamilton members are ineligible to serve — with both alleging that a witch hunt is being carried out against them.

Common councillor Graeme Outerbridge, whose right to be on the Corporation along with alderman David Dunkley is being investigated, told The Royal Gazette he believed Mayor Sutherland Madeiros was behind the "false" claims.

Mr. Madeiros confirmed that an inquiry into both men's status as bona fide voters — a prerequisite for standing as a Corporation member — was under way. He referred this newspaper to Corporation secretary Kelly Miller who did not respond to questions or a request to see the voters' register.

The claims against the two members centre around their status as tenants in the City of Hamilton.

A person must be registered as a voter in order to stand as mayor, alderman or common councillor and one of the criteria is that they occupied or owned a valuation unit within the municipal area for at least three months prior to registration.

Mr. Madeiros said Ms Miller had taken legal advice on exactly what tenant/landlord means in law and the definition of 'occupied'.

"I don't think it's ever been tested," he said. "Her role is to ensure that the voters' register is accurate. In that respect, I'm somewhat hands off."

Mr. Outerbridge said: "I am eligible. I am in good standing as a member.

"My status is in good standing and I think you can find that out from the Secretary.

"Everything that has been asked of me, has been provided by myself and my landlord."

He claimed that Mr. Madeiros made the complaint to the Corporation and put a letter before the other members containing the allegations.

"He personally went out and called my landlord and also sent the Deputy Mayor down there on a witch hunt," he said.

The Royal Gazette understands that Mr. Madeiros was contacted by a member of the community with regard to the two men's status as voters. The Mayor passed the information to Ms Miller but withdrew the complaint when he realised it had been made in his name. The person who initially contacted him is understood to have now registered the complaint themselves with the Secretary.

This newspaper checked and discovered that Mr. Outerbridge — who revealed last week that secret talks between some members had recently taken place about how to get the Mayor to step down — is a bona fide tenant of Mercury House on Front Street, where he has had an office on the fourth floor for more than five years.

Gregory Tolaram, director of Mercury House Ltd., told us: "He is a tenant and has conducted several meetings here over the past few years. As far as we're concerned he has fulfilled his obligations as a tenant."

We were unable to check Mr. Dunkley's tenancy details as the voters' register — which members of the public have the right to view, according to the Mayor — was not made available. Asked if he wished to comment and told of Mr. Outerbridge's response, Mr. Dunkley would only say: "I have the same answer as Graeme."

Both men have stated publicly that they have lost confidence in the Mayor. A source told this newspaper that they had turned against him because of the investigation. But Mr. Outerbridge said Mr. Madeiros had steered the Corporation from one "debacle" to another and needed to step down.

Deputy Mayor William Black could not be contacted for comment.