FORMER schools' chief June Longmuir was "torn apart" and kicked out of Worcestershire's top education post after councillors said they had lost confidence in her.

A vote of no confidence was put forward and, after an hour-long debate in which Coun Longmuir (Con) staunchly defended her actions, councillors voted 29 to 23 in favour of ousting the ex-schools' head. Two members abstained.

The decision - unprecedented in the county - was taken on the day annual league tables revealed Worcestershire's best schools' performance to date.

Yesterday's vote came at around 3.30pm, during a full meeting of Worcestershire County Council, at County Hall.

Coun John Gordon (IKHH) tabled the motion, which proposed removing Coun Longmuir over the continuing issues of changes to special schools, the Wyre Forest Review and the Redditch Review.

"There has been a lack of leadership and we were let down by the cabinet member concerned," he said.

Coun Liz Tucker (Lib) seconded the proposal and attacked Coun Longmuir's "overall handling of the portfolio".

She criticised the delay over a decision on special schools in south Worcestershire and the decision of the cabinet not to consult the public twice during the Wyre Forest Review.

"This is the third time that this council has called for the cabinet member for education to go," she said.

"We want clear leadership, open participation and confidence in the cabinet member. I'm sorry to say I don't have confidence."

While Coun John Buckley (Lab) added that she "doesn't have the skills required for the position", many others in the chamber were dismayed by the character assassination.

"This is a very sad day," said Coun Mary Drinkwater (Con). "In 28 years as a councillor I have never seen someone torn apart as June Longmuir has been today.

"It is emotional to see someone who works as hard as she does subjected to this."

Coun Pam Davey (Con) said: "I find this rather stomach-turning. The overall performance of the portfolio holder has been fantastic and I think this motion is unworthy of the council."

An earlier amendment to tone-down the motion to a reprimand for Coun Longmuir was defeated by 38 votes to nine.

Coun Andy Roberts (Con) was named as the new Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Lifelong Learning.

JUNE LONGMUIR: REMOVED

DEPARTING education head June Longmuir told the Evening News she was sad to leave her job half-finished - and blamed politics for her fall.

Coun Longmuir, who was appointed cabinet member for education in 2001, said the upcoming elections had made the outcome of yesterday's vote "inevitable".

"Education is the high profile issue and we've been trying to do a whole range of reviews so we have been laid wide open to criticism," she said.

"It was inevitable that the consortium with which we have been running the hung council would break up towards the elections."

She added: "I can only hope that the excellent work of members and officers continues because it's essential for the next 25 years that the policies are completed by the end of this council.

"I will do anything I can to help."

The Bromsgrove South councillor, who will now consider whether or not to stand for re-election, admitted she would miss her role as head of education.

"The job was seven days a week and 24 hours a day and in some ways it feels like a relief - but I'm sad not to have completed the job I started," she said.

"No one likes leaving a job half-done and I will miss the working relationship with the council officers.

"But I am more than confident in Andy Roberts and I know he will have the officers' support."

ANDY ROBERTS: IN

THE county's new head of education has pledged to focus on standards and youth services.

Councillor Andy Roberts (Con) was named the new Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning half an hour after Coun June Longmuir was removed from the post.

Previously, he was education's second-in-command, as adviser to both Coun Longmuir and the cabinet member for social services. He represents the Claines ward in Worcester.

"I'm left with some very big boots to fill," he said. "June's overseen some fantastic work in education in this county over the last four years, poignantly shown by the excellent results in the league tables released yesterday by the DfES.

"I'll try and do that by focusing on standards, The Children Act and integrating services, the children's centres project and the youth service, having been involved in most of these as the adviser to the Cabinet Member."

And Coun Roberts has his predecessor's full support.

"I am more than confident in Andy's ability - I recommended him as cabinet member after yesterday's vote," said Coun Longmuir.