Private message exchanges between suspended Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi and her council allies have been laid bare during an inquiry investigating relationships between councillors and senior staff at the City of Perth.

Key points: Mrs Scaffidi used WhatsApp to message seven of her nine fellow councillors

Mrs Scaffidi used WhatsApp to message seven of her nine fellow councillors She referred to councillors Reece Harley and Jemma Green as "bloody unionists"

She referred to councillors Reece Harley and Jemma Green as "bloody unionists" Former CEO Gary Stevenson was described as "cold and aloof"

The inquiry, overseen by Perth barrister Tony Power, was launched in April 2018 after a period of turmoil that included Mrs Scaffidi's gifts and travel expenses saga, infighting between councillors, two chief executive officers taking stress leave and the eventual suspension of the entire council.

It has the powers of a royal commission and has seized millions of documents and more than 100 electronic devices, including the sidelined Lord Mayor's phone.

Mrs Scaffidi told the inquiry that she often used the messaging service WhatsApp to communicate with councillors in a group chat — except for councillors Reece Harley and Jemma Green, who were excluded from the conversations.

In the messages, she discouraged other councillors from meeting with Ms Green, saying that the newly-elected councillor had been rude and had undermined her.

"Too short notice, be busy," Mrs Scaffidi said in one message directed to fellow councillor James Limnios, who had been invited for coffee with Ms Green.

"Don't let her call shots," it read.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Kate Ellson asked Mrs Scaffidi about her descriptions of former CEO Gary Stevenson. ( ABC News: Charlotte Hamlyn )

In another message, she poked fun at Mr Harley for often wearing the same suit.

"Saw Reece, still in the blue suit," Mrs Scaffidi said.

Counsel assisting the commissioner Kate Ellson asked Mrs Scaffidi about the nature of that comment.

"You were making fun of him, weren't you?" Ms Ellson asked.

"Yes," Mrs Scaffidi responded.

Seven musketeers vs the 'left-wing opposition'

In reference to both Ms Green and Mr Harley, Mrs Scaffidi wrote in another message exchange:

"They are the left-wing opposition. Green bloody unionists at that. We are a team. All or nothing. Seven musketeers."

Earlier in the hearing the former Lord Mayor was questioned about the sacking of former chief executive Gary Stevenson in 2016, part-way through his five-year contract.

Mrs Scaffidi's messages referred to two fellow councillors as "Green bloody unionists". ( ABC News: Charlotte Hamlyn )

It came after a unanimous vote by the council, but the full circumstances surrounding his departure have never been fully explained.

Ms Ellson's opening question to Mrs Scaffidi was: "Have you ever referred to Gary Stevenson as Satan?"

"Definitely not," Mrs Scaffidi responded.

"Have you ever referred to the termination of Gary Stevenson as 'the slaying of Satan'?" Ms Ellson asked.

"No," Mrs Scaffidi replied.

Perth CEO described as 'snake'

She was then asked about comments made in a six-monthly performance review for Mr Stevenson.

"He is not watching our backs like previous CEOs did," the comments read.

"I find him cold and aloof from us … Needs to get in the city's corner.

"Why does the answer have to be the Triple-C [Corruption and Crime Commission] or the Ombudsman or an external review? Just deal with it."

Mrs Scaffidi attributed those comments to all councillors, and not just her.

In another WhatsApp message exchange, Mrs Scaffidi referred to Mr Stevenson as a "snake".

The City of Perth inquiry is expected to cost up to $5 million.

"Trying to strike us one at a time now. He is a snake," Mrs Scaffidi wrote.

"He should do what we say, not what he thinks."

Thousands spent wining, dining friends

Dozens of witnesses have already been interviewed behind closed doors as part of the inquiry and several of Mrs Scaffidi's fellow councillors were grilled at the last round of public hearings earlier this month.

They included former councillor Keith Yong, who was found to have spent thousands of ratepayer dollars wining and dining his family and friends in the private dining room at Council House.

Keith Yong, former Perth City Council councillor, admitted wining and dining family and friends. ( ABC News: Charlotte Hamlyn )

Another councillor, Jim Adamos, admitted to wrongly claiming dinner and clothing expenses, and a third councillor, Lily Chen, failed to disclose a lucrative business relationship with a development company while she was an elected member.

The inquiry was ordered by Local Government Minister David Templeman after he declared the situation at the City of Perth had become untenable and suspended the entire council.

"I have formed a view that if I do not intervene, I am failing in my responsibilities as Minister," Mr Templeman said at the time.

The probe is expected to cost the state more than $5 million and will ultimately report on whether the council should be reinstated or dismissed.