Suspended Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has denied that she likened the axing of a city chief executive to "slaying Satan".
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Testifying at an inquiry into the City of Perth on Monday, Ms Scaffidi was immediately confronted with the allegation, which she strongly denied.
Former council CEO Gary Stevenson was sacked in January 2016 and replaced with Martin Mileham.
"(Mr Stevenson) was a nice person but he wasn't a great fit for the organisation," Ms Scaffidi told the inquiry.
Counsel assisting the commissioner Kate Ellson referred to an email from Ms Scaffidi to other councillors, which included Mr Stevenson's six-month appraisal.
Comments included that he was "not watching our backs like previous CEOs" and he was "cold and aloof".
Ms Scaffidi admitted the first comment could be attributed to her.
Throughout her evidence, Commissioner Tony Power repeatedly warned Ms Scaffidi about how she answered questions.
"This is not an opportunity for you to say whatever you like," he said.
Ms Ellson separately told Ms Scaffidi: "You're in a witness box, not on a soap box."
Earlier, Ms Ellson said during her opening address that the relationship between the lord mayor and CEO was critical.
She said the second block of public hearings would focus on the relationship between councillors and other employees, as well as the competency of council decision-making.
"The lord mayor is the leader of the local government's council," she said.
"It is therefore absolutely imperative that the person holding this title strictly adheres to the formal declaration to duly, faithfully, honestly and with integrity fulfil the duties of his or her office for the people."
The inquiry will also examine the council's delayed decision to put the Grand Central Hotel on the city's heritage register, with Ms Ellson noting Ms Scaffidi and her husband had a "significant financial interest" in the property.
Ms Ellson said the inquiry would also probe the behaviour of councillors and employees, including why there was an amendment to the city's code of conduct in June 2017 to insert provisions related to bullying.
The inquiry was launched following a failure by Ms Scaffidi to disclose travel and gifts, reports of infighting between councillors, two CEOs taking stress leave and the suspension of the council in March 2018.
Ms Scaffidi previously indicated she would not return to the job.
Australian Associated Press
