Napier mayor Richard McGrath has asked for the resignation of his deputy mayor Sally Crown, and she is not taking it lying down. Crown revealed at a Napier City Council meeting on Tuesday that McGrath had asked her for this at 2pm on Monday. She said she had been initially given until 5pm Monday to resign or be removed, then changed to 5pm on Tuesday. She said she had been given no warning of McGrath’s intentions and felt “blindsided”. McGrath appointed Crown as his deputy when elected in October and has the power to remove her as a result. She would remain as a councillor. “I will not be coerced or bullied into staying silent,” she told the meeting of McGrath’s actions. She described McGrath’s decision-making as “ad-hoc”, “reckless” and “chaotic” and put forward a motion to fellow councillors to get McGrath training in communication and leadership skills. The meeting is continuing. MORE TO COME