MLT president Horace McAuley fired the first barrage in his president’s report, accusing deputy president Vince Aynsley of "bullying".
He alleged Mr Aynsley confronted him at the New Zealand Licensing Trusts Association conference in Invercargill on Saturday, asking him how he was feeling and then how he would feel when he was no longer president next term.
Mr Aynsley said he could not recall the exchange but noted he would apologise for whatever he hypothetically said.
However, all bets were off when board member Jeannine Cunningham stepped in, saying Mr McAuley was guilty of bullying himself.
Mrs Cunningham said the president had blown up in a previous meeting, accusing other members of conspiring against him and acting inappropriately.
The two began to argue over an employment issue, with Mr McAuley accusing Mrs Cunningham of going behind the board’s back, and Mrs Cunningham alleging Mr McAuley railroaded the employment process.
Just as it seemed tempers were settling down, Mrs Cunningham fired another salvo.
"You said you had calls of support — well, so have I. How many times have I been asked at the conference, I can count at least five: ‘when are you getting rid of Horace?"’
The room reacted with shocked laughter and scoffs, and some members reprimanded Mrs Cunningham.
Licensing trusts are elected by voters in local body elections, but the president is selected by members.
"One of the things I’d require, I’d need an open meeting and to ask every [MLT] member why?"
Mr Aynsley said he would prefer to let democracy run its course, but expressed his frustration with the report on his alleged behaviour being made public."Horace, whether you or I are selected [as president], I was disappointed when you said you will make this public. I’d never go out to rubbish your name," Mr Aynsley said.
"You, to me, appear to be going out and rubbishing not only my name, but my family name," he said.
Mr McAuley did not back down from his comments.
"If you can recall, what I said was what you are doing is not, as I see it, the Aynsley way," he said.
Member Bryan Burgess, who goes by the name Bunny, then chimed in, calling out Mr Aynsley and accusing him of underhandedly winning the deputy president role from Mr Burgess.
Mr Aynsley accepted the accusation.
"I take that on the chin. I wasn’t being up-front about it," Mr Aynsley said.
The meeting then further descended into bickering.
Mr McAuley, defending his decision to clear the air in the public space, stated it became a public issue once Mr Aynsley needled him at a conference.
Mr Aynsley then offered an apology to Mr McAuley, which was received.
