BITTER divisions within the City of Perth have played out on social media, with embattled Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi using a personal online profile to accuse an elected colleague of not telling the truth.

In a heated debate on Reece Harley’s campaign Facebook page, Mrs Scaffidi said he was spinning a story about when he came to her asking for permission to speak to the media.

Cr Harley, who is seeking re-election as a councillor, had posted about his role in arguing against the City of Perth’s media gag, which was repealed this year.

Mrs Scaffidi commented on his post, saying she had been referred to it by “others who knew his methodology”, referencing a meeting between the pair after Cr Harley’s first year in office.

“Why don’t you tell the truth, Reece,” she posted. “One year in as a (councillor) — how you came to me seeking publicity for yourself (exact words) to celebrate your first year on council.

“I replied we are a council, decisions are made as a collective not as individuals.

“You Facebook messaged me ... while I was on a private break. We subsequently met over coffee in my office to discuss it and I said to you that Cr (Keith) Yong had only been a Cr for a year and he wasn’t seeking publicity.

“I said you’ve only been on council a year and we operate as a team — you are one vote around the table and it takes a majority for council decisions to be made.”

After thanking Mrs Scaffidi for her comment, Cr Harley said he had asked for permission to speak about his voting record and the issues he had advocated.

“You refused to grant your permission as was your right under the public relations policy of the time. I was gagged, under your explicit direction,” he said.

“In the future, thanks to this reform (which you voted for at the time following some serious public pressure), councillors will not need to seek permission from ‘the boss’ to be able to talk freely about their ideas and voting record. It seems from your comment that you still do not believe that councillors and journalists should be able to speak to one another about matters of public interest.”

Mrs Scaffidi responded again. “Selective memory & justification, Reece ... spin it as you wish,” she posted.

Cr Harley said people were sick and tired of this kind of behaviour. “The standard of public debate in this State needs to be raised,” he said.

The stoush comes less than two weeks before local government elections.

It also comes after Mrs Scaffidi stood aside from her role as Lord Mayor.

She is appealing against a State Administrative Tribunal decision for her to be disqualified from office over failure to declare contributions to travel.

Mrs Scaffidi was contacted for comment.