A former deputy mayor of Hamilton has dropped his claim of slander against Bermuda Broadcasting Company (BBC).

Bill Black issued a writ against the company in September 2008 after ZBM and ZFB television and radio reports which aired in June that year.

A defamation trial was scheduled to start at the Supreme Court yesterday but Richard Horseman, lawyer for the BBC, said it was not going ahead as Mr. Black had discontinued the matter.

"They decided they didn't want to go ahead with it," said Mr. Horseman. "ZBM didn't pay anything out of court."

Former alderman Mr. Black took exception to comments about fellow former alderman David Dunkley being attributed to him in the reports and was seeking unspecified damages from the BBC, owner of ZBM and ZFB.

His writ followed months of wrangling at City Hall. The Corporation removed Mr. Black from his post in July 2008 due to "defects in his position as a nominee" on the voters' register.

Mr. Black could not be reached yesterday and his lawyer, Alan Dunch, said he was unable to comment.