Mayor Graeme Outerbridge is “deeply concerned” about reports that his deputy ordered the removal of scores of parking signs in Hamilton.

Mr Outerbridge said an inquiry into the actions of Deputy Mayor Donal Smith, and Alderman Carlton Simmons, has already been launched, and promised to get to the bottom of the matter.

Yesterday The Royal Gazette revealed that more than 50 recently erected pay-and-display signs around the city had mysteriously vanished at the end of last month. But a police investigation into the matter was called off after it was discovered that Mr Smith and Mr Simmons had secretly arranged to have the signs taken down — without informing their Board colleagues.

The pair wrote a letter authorising an acquaintance of Mr Simmons — who does not work for the municipality — to take down the signs, which were removed from roads in north Hamilton, where Mr Simmons has an office and nightclub.

“I am deeply concerned about the revelatory turn of events in your story today concerning Zone Two and Three missing Corporation of Hamilton parking signs,” Mr Outerbridge said.

“Once I get the full facts from operations and from the named individuals and the views of the Corporation Board I will get back to you.

“And no, I do not condone their actions if your report on ‘Signgate’ is factually accurate.”

While the Mayor was expressing his concern, Mr Smith was denouncing the story as false, despite failing to provide any examples of factual errors in The Royal Gazette’s coverage of the issue.

“Why are you calling me? You are printing mistruths — don’t call me when you don’t have the truth,” Mr Smith said in a telephone conversation, after this newspaper was finally able to contact him.

“You always blast before you speak to the people you are blasting. What is your problem? You have already cast aspersions on me, and my family is very concerned, but you should be concerned about your false reporting.

“I have nothing else to say on this matter. You are trying to make me look like a demonic person, which is causing the social media to blow up. I don’t feel like speaking to you. All you are trying to do is sell more newspapers because your shares are not sharp right now. I see what your plan is and it ain’t working.”

The Royal Gazette also made repeated attempts to contact Mr Simmons yesterday but the Alderman did not respond to requests for comment. Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy also failed to respond to e-mailed requests for comment.

It is not known if Mr Smith and Mr Simmons will be subject to any disciplinary action from the council or even face criminal charges.

On Wednesday Corporation Secretary Edward Benevides did point out that it was an offence to remove or deface Corporation signs, and that the penalty was a fine of $2,100 for each offence.

However, Mr Benevides added that “no formal charge has been made at this time”.

Yesterday a police spokesman said that, although the incident was no longer under investigation, the force was still liaising with the municipality on the issue.

“This matter is being managed by the Corporation of Hamilton and the Bermuda Police Service will liaise with the Corporation of Hamilton to assess the appropriate way forward,” the spokesman said.

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