The old truism was never more so than in politics but when Barry O’Farrell led his team to Lithgow last month he probably could not have guessed at the chopping block around the corner. 

Member for Bathurst Paul Toole was emphasising a point shortly before the then Premier announced more than four million dollars towards the ongoing Lithgow flood mitigation scheme. 

At his side was his right hand man, Deputy Premier and Treasurer Mike Baird and both seemed deep in thought as Environment Minister Robyn Parker and Mayor Maree Statham appreciated the point being made by Mr Toole. 

On Thursday Mr O’Farrell was suddenly a backbencher after being ambushed in ICAC by an undeclared gift of overpriced wine. 

And the right hand man was just as suddenly The Man, elevated unopposed to the hot seat. 

Mr Toole announced that he had been floored by the events that had unfolded.

 “I nearly hit the ground.  No one could have seen this coming,” he said. And he still says ‘Barry is a good bloke’.  

Another good bloke brought undone by a bottle of wine.