MP calls for public inquiry into fire service

An MP has called for an independent public inquiry into West Midlands Fire Authority as she criticised "deep rooted and troubling problems" at the service.

Wendy Morton, Conservative Party MP for Aldridge Brownhills, said recent issues at the authority, which oversees the running of West Midlands Fire Service, highlighted severe shortcomings.

In the last month, the interim chief executive of the fire service and chairman of the fire authority have both resigned.

West Midlands Fire Service said it was in contact with the Home office and was "committed to ongoing transparency".

Oliver Lee, the outgoing interim chief executive, accused the fire service of being impossible to govern.

Morton said: "Recent events at the West Midlands Fire Authority regarding failures of governance, leadership, financial discrepancies, and staff grievances highlight some of the really deep rooted and troubling problems, and I'm afraid there are too many unanswered questions."

Her request for a public inquiry comes as the leader of Walsall Council made the same demand in a letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper earlier this week.

Meanwhile, complaints are also being investigated over comments by the acting chair of West Midlands Fire Authority, suggesting that dishonesty on CVs was routine.

A leaked recording has emerged of councillor Catherine Miks saying: “I should imagine every single person in this room, at some stage, has put something on their CV that they regret putting on there, that we shouldn’t have.”

She said the comments had been taken out of context, adding: "I do not condone anybody being dishonest on their CV and have never and will never do so myself.”

The audio was captured at a meeting of the authority in February, following the death of fire service chief executive Wayne Brown.

West Midlands Fire Service said the fire authority had written to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services to request a focused review of the governance of the service.

"This review will run alongside the upcoming inspection and will provide assurance alongside identifying areas for improvement," it said.

Responding to Morton's comments, it said it was in regular contact with the Home Office and "have invited any additional scrutiny or support that they may feel is necessary".

Mr Brown was found dead at his home as claims were being investigated he had falsely claimed to have a business administration qualification needed for his job.

The comments from Miks have been widely circulated on social media after she became acting chair of the authority when the previous chair, councillor Greg Brackenridge, stood down.

He is currently suspended by Labour while it investigates complaints relating to his military service record.

Coventry City Council, where Miks sits as a councillor, has confirmed it is looking into a complaint about her comments. The fire authority has also been sent complaints.

Responding to the emergence of the recording in a statement, Miks said the it had been “taken out of context”.

She added: “We all felt able to speak freely at this meeting while still mourning the loss of a colleague I worked closely with. It saddens me still.”

West Midlands Fire Service has faced months of disruption following the death of Wayne Brown.

Interim replacement Oliver Lee was suspended this month having publicly criticised the service's governance, saying it lacked courage, transparency and honesty.

He quit his post soon after making the comments but attempted to withdraw his resignation following Brackenridge's departure.

However, the board ultimately accepted Mr Lee’s initial resignation.

Deputy chief fire officer Simon Barry will lead West Midlands Fire Service until a permanent chief executive is appointed.

The fire authority is due to appoint a permanent chair in November.

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