FORMER Douglas Shire Mayor Mike Berwick has accused four councillors of conspiracy after they voted to sack the council%u2019s general manager.

At the final Douglas Shire Council meeting on Tuesday, councillors Joe Sciacca, Bill Bellero, George Pitt and Deputy Mayor David Egan voted to terminate David Carey’s contract.

As the council debated the motion, Mr Berwick revealed Mr Carey, who had been offered a job with the new Cairns Regional Council, had been removed from the organisation’s staff list prior to the motion to sack him.

"There appears to be a conspiracy between four councillors and some people in the Cairns City Council," Mr Berwick told the meeting. "I’m suggesting there’s some collusion between you and the current regime of the Cairns City Council.

"He’s the only person in the entire organisation that’s been removed."

Acting CEO Bruce Ede confirmed that Mr Carey was not included on the organisation’s chart.

Speaking to The Cairns Post after the meeting, Mr Egan said: "What the mayor has said about us four councillors is totally untrue and I intend to take action."

Cairns City Council Mayor Kevin Byrne branded the allegation "outrageous".

"He (David Carey) wasn’t removed from the staff chart, Cr Byrne said.

"He applied for a director’s position and he was unsuccessful.

"He’s not on the staff chart as a director, but there was always a position for him."

Crs Bellero said after the meeting he would "swear on a stack of bibles," that he had not spoken to Cairns City Council staff.

Cr Pitt described himself as "gobsmacked" and denied the allegation.

Cr Sciacca could not be contacted for comment before press time.

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