Inquest into fire chief's death to begin in March

Wayne Brown was found dead at his home in Birmingham in January

An inquest into the death of a fire chief at the centre of an investigation will be held next year.

Wayne Brown, who was West Midlands Fire Service’s chief officer, was found dead at his Birmingham home on 24 January.

It came shortly after the fire service confirmed Mr Brown was being investigated for claims made on social media about his qualifications for the role.

A pre-inquest review, held at Birmingham Coroner's Court on Tuesday, was told the inquest into his death would begin on 10 March and be held without a jury.

Family members attended the hearing in person and remotely, including his partner who said she had been talking to Mr Brown the day before he was found dead.

She described his mood as “very low”, adding: “He told me that he loved me and our family very, very much.”

As well as submissions from barristers representing the fire service and West Midlands Police, the court was addressed by a lawyer representing a man who is facing criminal proceedings over alleged harassment of Mr Brown.

Adjourning the inquest, senior coroner Louise Hunt told Mr Brown’s family: “I understand this is an incredibly difficult process for you as a family."

West Midlands Police previously said they were not treating Mr Brown’s death as suspicious.