ICAC Operation Navarra LIVE updates: Ousted Parramatta Council CEO Gail Connolly returns to stand for second day

And we’re live. Hearing begins.

(Reminder: you can watch the delayed live-stream here – but we’ll bring you all the most important bits here.)

Connolly has just arrived at the Independent Commission Against Corruption, entering via Elizabeth Street.

There are a large number of people waiting to get into the public gallery.

Proceedings should commence shortly.

If you’re just tuning in, here’s what we heard during Connolly’s first day as a witness:

• The race for chief executive of the council in 2023 came down to Connolly and the acting boss, Bryan Hynes. Connolly sent text messages saying she was “digging dirt” about him. Connolly told the ICAC that “dirt” meant “background”.
• Amid a flurry of attempts by some councillors to rescind a motion to appoint Connolly, federal MP Jerome Laxale “was screaming” at then-lord mayor Donna Davis to sign Connolly’s contract, according to texts she sent to a friend that were aired at the commission.
• The ICAC heard this morning that Connolly wrote the signature of fellow Pink Lady Roxanne Thornton on her contract as a witness, despite the council asking for a wet-ink witness signature. Thornton would later be hired as an executive at the council.
• After about three hours being grilled on her time at council, Connolly broke down in tears and asked for a break.
• A request was made on health grounds to have this reporter not appear in the hearing room. The ICAC did not act on the request, nor say who made it.