Conservative councillors have openly turned on Northumberland County Council leader Peter Jackson after three weeks of turmoil.
In an open letter, three Tory members have told the embattled leader he doesn't have their support, making defeat in a vote of no confidence seem likely.
Coun Jackson is expected to face a vote at a meeting of full council on September 2, which could bring to an end his three years running the local authority.
It comes after a turbulent period for Northumberland County Council which has seen a breakdown in relationship at the very top of the organisation.
As revealed by ChronicleLive, chief executive Daljit Lally was suspended after blowing the whistle on alleged wrongdoing and making accusations about Mr Jackson.
Resignations of key cabinet members followed and ChronicleLive later revealed Northumberland taxpayers are exposed to a £5.5m insurance claim after council-owned company Advance Northumberland allegedly closed a massive construction site against council advice.
Northumberland County Council, Coun Jackson and Advance Northumberland have so far all declined opportunities to address these accusations directly.
While there may be procedural difficulties in bringing a vote of no confidence forward on September 2, opposition councillors backed by rogue Tories now look certain to be in the driving seat if it takes place.
The Conservatives are one seat short of an overall majority of the council and, without the councillors who have signed the open letter, Mr Jackson would need members from other parties or independents to come to his rescue.
The letter reads: "This is not a decision which we have taken lightly.
"The pain we feel about the current situation is nothing compared to the anger and sense of being let down felt by our residents over the past few weeks."
Calling on Coun Jackson to step aside, the letter adds: "It is with huge sadness and regret that we believe the time has come to consider your position for the good of the county and the people we all represent."
The letter is signed by county councillors Christine Dunbar, Mark Swinburn and Wayne Daley, Mr Jackson's former deputy who resigned in protest at developments earlier this month.
Cramlington town mayor Lorain de Simone, the former chairman of Cramlington Conservatives Scott Lee and Cramlington town councillors Norman Dunbar, Paul Ezhilchelvan, Helen Welsh and Pat Heard have also signed the letter.
ChronicleLive has seen correspondence from another Conservative member of Northumberland County Council indicating they could also withhold their support in any vote.
Mr Jackson and Northumberland County Council have been contacted for comment.
