During secret recordings captured by an undercover reporter Alan Feeney remarked to his fellow disgraced colleagues "we'll all be in the papers".

Within months he was and had even gained national notoriety for his appearance in ITV's Reform UK undercover documentary.

Mr Feeney was a familiar politician in these parts having been elected on to both Solihull and Birmingham City authorities in May.

Prior to covering Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) I was a reporter in Worcester where Mr Feeney had gained respect among voters as an approachable councillor.

He was a toastmaster at cultural events that involved people of all religions. He was master of ceremonies when the late Queen Elizabeth II visited that city.

After being elected onto SMBC – originally as a Conservative before defecting to Reform UK just over a year ago – the aspiring MP continued to be an active councillor and was also set to become the borough's mayor next year.

The footage of his abhorrent racism including saying his Castle Bromwich ward has been "infested" with Asians and labelling them "absolute parasites" would lead to his quick downfall.

And the offensive comments made by Jamie Campbell and Chris Whelan would also force them to go and contribute to SMBC's name being damaged further.

On Monday night, 24 hours after the full documentary went out, the aftermath played out with councillors from across the political divide speaking out in anger.

The speeches made at the extraordinary council meeting were at times moving. In one, Shahin Ashraf, the first person from an ethnic minority group to become Solihull's mayor, said: "We are not a problem to be solved.

"We are here, this is home and we are not going anywhere."

SMBC's leader Karen Grinsell said "this isn't the council we should be" and "this is not what Solihull residents expect".

Moving quickly to replace the roles the three had held, including Mr Feeney as deputy mayor, was a key step towards restoring the council's reputation.

The other story emerging is Samantha Gethen being under pressure just months after Reform UK's breakthrough in becoming the council's official opposition and her rise to group leader.

Councillors have been critical of the way Cllr Gethen handled the crisis when the first clips of the undercover investigation were released.

"When it came to light I acted – that is what leadership looks like," was her response and she refuses to resign.

But the group has lost five councillors either through defections or resignations since May. At the full council meeting she spoke with empty chairs around her where Mr Feeney and Mr Campbell had once sat.

It is a now a major test of Cllr Gethen's leadership how she comes through these turbulent times.

Eyes will inevitably turn to the high profile by-elections in the Castle Bromwich ward where much of ITV's damaging footage was originally captured.

Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, November 26, with Reform UK no doubt desperate to win after their setbacks.

But for the Conservatives, which look to be the nearest challengers, it is an early opportunity to secure a majority lost back on the council in May.