Deputy fire chief suspended over social media post

One of Wales' most senior fire chiefs has been suspended after an investigation was launched into a social media post claimed to be linked to him.

Stewart Forshaw is deputy chief fire officer of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

In a statement from the service's chief fire officer Dawn Docx, she said it was a "precautionary step" while a "full and fair investigation" takes place into the allegation.

Details of the social media post, or which social media platform is involved, have not been released.

In her statement, north Wales' chief fire officer confirmed Mr Forshaw was suspended from duty on Friday.

Ms Docx added: "I want to reassure our communities, stakeholders and colleagues that we remain fully committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and trust in our service."

She said that "transparency and accountability are at the heart of everything we do, and we will address this matter with the seriousness it deserves".

The fire service said it would not be commenting further, while it followed "due process".

Mr Forshaw joined the north Wales service in 2022 from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, where he had been director of service development and temporary assistant chief fire officer.

Prior to that, he had been with the Cheshire fire service for almost three decades.

His stated roles in north Wales include responsibility for equality, diversity and inclusivity, as well as culture and wellbeing.

The development comes ahead of a joint review into the culture at the fire service, and also at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue.

The report is due to be published on Wednesday.

It followed allegations of "bullying, sexual harassment and favouritism" in the two fire services made to the Welsh government.

The two fire services agreed to commission an independent review after meeting the then deputy minister for social partnership Hannah Blythyn in March last year.

The meeting with the minister was called after a critical report into the South Wales service highlighted sexual harassment and misogyny, with its chief officer stepping down in January 2024 and a new chief officer appointed.