I cant really comment without knowing what was said (and isnt my bussiness, but off the bat seems real odd)), but I just meant as a general point that unless things was done and dusted like that, you should perhaps talked with them in private and ask for explanations (unless you done that already) or such before going public with it (that the sitaution can still be salvaged etc)..
Though maybe understandable for a somewhat weird sitaution (based on what you said), it may be bit reactionary and not constructive way to deal with it.
I would think being asked to step down would mean having something more to talk about, that its a suggestion etc. Instead of a demand, if its the latter it would be a demotion. And that would be pretty straight forward and not much to talk about.