City of Newcastle launched a formal investigation after former lord mayor John McNaughton challenged deputy lord mayor Callum Pull over his right to wear a ceremonial chain previously worn by the city's lady mayoresses.

In a letter from City of Newcastle, the 88-year-old Freeman of the City, who served as lord mayor between 1986 and 1995, was asked to respond to allegations of "verbal berating and character questioning", "unwanted physical contact" and "harassment through continued pursuit" following an incident at the May 23 citizenship ceremony at Newcastle City Hall.

The allegations and the investigation's preliminary findings were outlined in the letter, signed by the council's executive director corporate services David Clarke, on July 31.

"Verbal berating and character questioning

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