Messages between the three women denigrated other staffers and contained promises of new roles and a plan to make one senior worker redundant.

High-ranking Parramatta staffer Roxanne Thornton told an anti-corruption inquiry she and ex-CEO Gail Connolly were foundation members of the friendship group.

Gail Connolly discussed setting up disappearing messages with a colleague in a council executive WhatsApp chat, the ICAC has heard.

Messages between the three women denigrated other staffers and contained promises of new roles and a plan to make one senior worker redundant.

Text messages shown during ICAC’s public inquiry reveal the Pink Ladies friendship group had plotted how they would join Parramatta Council.