'No evidence' to support fire chief allegations

Peter Rickard was appointed chief fire officer for Cleveland last year

An investigation into a fire service's leading officer has ended, finding there is "no evidence to support allegations made".

On Monday, it was revealed Cleveland Fire Brigade's Peter Rickard was the subject of an independent investigation following a complaint.

Information around the nature of the complaint was not confirmed, with brigade bosses previously noting it would be "inappropriate to comment on specific details at this stage".

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "The investigation into the chief fire officer has concluded after being conducted by an independent third party, with the outcome that there was no evidence to support the allegations made."

The statement continued: "After full engagement from the chief fire officer, cooperation across the service and in liaison with the external complainant, there will be no further action, and the matter is now closed."

They had previously confirmed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service the process was being "managed entirely" by an "appointed external party" in order to ensure impartiality and fairness.

Mr Rickard has held the leading position at Cleveland Fire Brigade since 2024, when he took over following the retirement of previous boss Ian Hayton.

Prior to taking up the role, Mr Rickard was assistant chief fire officer at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

He started his career in the fire and rescue service at London Fire Brigade in 2001, and became deputy assistant commissioner as the head of operational risk and strategic planning at the organisation in 2019.