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Fresh calls to reject Northants chief fire officer candidate

West Northamptonshire Council Man with short dark hair and glasses stands in front of leather-bound booksWest Northamptonshire Council
Andre González de Savage said he had received 200 emails and calls about the appointment

A member of the panel responsible for appointing a chief fire officer said he has received numerous messages urging him to reject the preferred candidate.

The panel will meet later to decide whether to appoint Nikki Watson to the role in Northamptonshire.

André González de Savage said he has received more than 200 emails and phone calls from firefighters and the public.

A complaint about Ms Watson is being investigated by the police watchdog.

Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service Woman with short fair hair tied back, wearing a grey jacket and standing in front of a hedgeNorthamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service
Northamptonshire Police, Crime and Fire Panel will decide whether to confirm Nikki Watson's appointment

The previous chief fire officer, Mark Jones, stepped down suddenly in July 2023 after a year in the post, and his successor Nicci Marzec left her interim chief officer post last July after only 10 days.

Northamptonshire Police, Crime and Fire Panel, which scrutinises the work of the county's elected police, fire and crime commissioner (PFCC), will decide whether to accept his preferred candidate for the role.

Nikki Watson's selection by Northamptonshire PFCC Stephen Mold has been controversial because she is currently the subject of an Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) inquiry relating to her time as the deputy chief constable of Avon and Somerset Police.

Mr González de Savage, a Conservative councillor, told the BBC he had received more than 200 emails and phone calls "from members of the public and serving firefighters" urging him to vote against the appointment.

He added that he would "consider all the representations before deciding how to vote" at the meeting.

Woman with long dark hair wearing a black raincoat in a housing estate
Labour's Zoe McGhee said she had received more than 50 emails calling for the appointment to be rejected

Another panel member, the Labour councillor Zoe McGhee, wrote on social media that "since 6pm last night, I have received well over 50 emails pushing for a veto of the proposed new fire chief".

She added: "I am a lone voice on the panel, I hope the other members on the panel are also receiving these emails and are ready to join me in speaking out."

Steve Hubbard/BBC Man with short white hair wearing a blue and white striped shirtSteve Hubbard/BBC
The PFCC, Stephen Mold, said Ms Watson had been through an open and rigorous selection process

Mr Mold said Ms Watson's commitment to public service "shone out" during the interview process.

He added: "I am confident that Nikki has the skills and qualities to take our service into the future and that her passion for public safety matches the dedication shown by our own firefighters and staff."

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