Three Conservative councillors were crucial in the defeat of their own leader in a dramatic vote at Northumberland County Council.
Councillors Wayne Daley, Christine Dunbar and Mark Swinburn all voted to support the motion of no confidence in former leader, Conservative councillor Peter Jackson.
The motion, brought forward by Labour group leader Susan Dungworth, passed by just one vote on Wednesday night, with 33 in favour and 32 against.
Coun Dungworth argued the authority's reputation was "in shreds" after a chaotic 26 days after the organisation's chief executive, Daljit Lally, was placed on "an period of extended leave".
Coun Jackson said he "absolutely refuted" all of Coun Dungworth's claims, saying he had been the victim of a "smear campaign".
Labour councillors called for a named vote, making it clear who voted to support the existing leadership and who voted against.
So which were the key votes and absences which swayed the outcome?
The three Tory rebels all represent the town of Cramlington, and had already indicated their concerns about the situation at the top of the council, signing an open letter calling on Peter Jackson to step down.
The letter read: "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 added: "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."
Perhaps the most significant of these votes came from Cramlington North Councillor Wayne Daley.
Until last month, Coun Daley was deputy leader of the authority, as well as member for children's services, before stepping down in August following the revelations surrounding Mrs Lally's temporary departure.
Casting his vote Coun Daley, said: "Worst day of my life, I'm going to have to go 'For' - sorry."
The other two Cramlington councillors gave their support to the motion with a simple "for".
ChronicleLive has contacted all three councillors to ask for further comment.
The Conservative group is just one seat short of an overall majority on the council, but the group lost an additional vote due to a vacancy: former Alnwick Councillor Robbie Moore was elected MP for Keighley in West Yorkshire in 2019, and an election has not taken place in his seat yet due to Covid-19.
Karen Quinn, Conservative Councillor for Bywell, was also not present at the vote.
The Tories would have lost by a greater margin were it not for the support of the group of three independent Bedlington councillors, Couns Russ Wallace, Malcolm Robinson and Bill Crosby.
Labour councillors, the county's other other independent councillors, and two of the three Northumberland Liberal Democrats all voted for the motion to depose Coun Jackson.
