SNP take over Dumfries and Galloway Council from Tories
It comes after Conservative Gail Macgregor quit as council leader moments before a vote of no confidence on her this afternoon.
In a note to council officials, Cllr Macgregor said she had decided to quit with 'the heaviest of hearts.'
Seven councillors left the Conservative group to form two separate groups; Novantae and Dumfries and Galloway Independent Group.
There are currently 11 SNP councillors with the Conservatives dropping to 9 representatives, just in front of Labour with 8.
This could result in the fourth council administration in Dumfries & Galloway in the past three years.
Announcing her resignation, councillor MacGregor said: 'It has been an absolute privilege to serve the people of Dumfries and Galloway as Leader of the Council for the past 26 months.
'During this time I have always tried to lead with a collaborative approach, and I will always do so for the good of the people we serve and the services we provide.'
An emergency meeting will take place this afternoon in which members are expected to choose a new administration.
The Conservative group has led the administration in Dumfries and Galloway over the past two years. It followed the collapse of the rainbow coalition.
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