Skip to content

Chief fire officer is a bully, says union rep

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Stuart MillingtonSouth Wales Fire and Rescue Service
Stuart Millington is awaiting an employment tribunal relating to his previous role in north Wales

The interim chief fire officer in south Wales has been labelled a “bully" by a senior union representative.

Cerith Griffiths, the Wales representative on the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) executive committee, attacked Stuart Millington’s running of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) in a series of social media posts.

Mr Griffiths said things had got “much, much worse” since Mr Millington was appointed in February 2024, after an independent report into the organisation's culture found “sexist and misogynist culture in many places in the service".

The fire service said Mr Millington would not comment on the allegation.

Mr Millington is facing an employment tribunal connected to his work as assistant chief fire officer at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

He was appointed to his current role in south Wales when then-deputy minister for social partnerships Hannah Blythyn installed four commissioners to oversee the organisation on behalf of the Welsh government.

Mr Griffiths said Ms Blythyn “took the right decision” in making these appointments, but added “serious concerns” remain.

He added members had contacted him in recent weeks with “really concerning” reports about Mr Millington’s behaviour.

“Things have not moved on and things have not changed,” he said.

“It appears that things have actually got worse.”

'An attack on our members'

He continued: “This was an appointment that was going to deal with culture and values, but the only thing that seems to be the focus now is an attack on our members terms and conditions, rather than trying to put things right that were highlighted in quite a damning report.”

FBU members in south Wales passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Millington in February.

But Mr Griffiths denies that firefighters haven not given him a chance, saying: “In the light of some of the concerns raised with us, they were justified in taking that decision.”

Mr Griffiths said he expects “formal proceedings” on the matter in the coming weeks.

SWFRS said Mr Millington had “no comment to make on this matter”.