Yet another Liberal steps aside after allegedly accessing ‘mayoral ATM’

He's the Newcastle lord mayor who cruises around in a Bentley but today Jeff McCloy left it at home, opting for a hire car instead.

The Lord Mayor is a giver, constantly supporting charities - and budding politicians.

In the lead up to the 2011 state election, Mr McCloy drove around in his Bentley, handing out envelopes of cash - $10,000 each to Liberal campaign manager Hugh Thompson and candidates Tim Owen and Andrew Cornwell.

The Liberal MP for Swansea, Garry Edwards, had to settle for what was in his wallet, $1500.

"They all come and see me for money,” he said.

"I feel like a walking ATM.”

The bombshell evidence took just a few hours to rock Macquarie Street.

Mr Owen and Mr Cornwell quit in disgrace on Tuesday, now Mr Edwards had been named and shamed and has now stood aside.

Meanwhile back at the commission, Mr McCloy was fighting to save his own career as mayor.

The Newcastle council's own website boasts: “Jeff has built a reputation as a massive contributor to property development.”

But today the millionaire insisted he was not a property developer and that he handed out the cash as an individual.

His only mistake, he says, is "that he failed to declare the donations".

Hilton Grugeon is another property developer who threw money at the Liberal campaign.

Outside court he denied handing money over to try and buy favours.

But he did admit to buying a painting from Mr Cornwell's wife.

It was worth roughly $300 but he paid more than $10,000.

For Mr Grugeon and Mr McCloy it had been a gruelling time in the witness box and for the embattled mayor there was no escaping the heat.