Fire boss faces investigation after culture review

Chief Fire officer Graeme Binning and deputy chief Jim McNeil joined the service in 2023

A fire service's most senior officer is to be investigated following a review of the organisation's culture, while his deputy has given notice of his intention to retire, the BBC understands.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer Graeme Binning and deputy Jim McNeil have been suspended, a number of separate sources have alleged.

Northumberland county councillors held a private meeting on Wednesday to discuss employment matters, from which the press was excluded.

The fire service previously appointed interim replacements to the officers' positions and said it was considering the findings of the "neutral assessment" but could not comment on "individual staffing matters".

The assessment has not been made public, but looked into the culture of the service after individuals raised concerns, sources told the BBC.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) previously declined to confirm or deny the reports of the pair's suspension.

Following the meeting this week, it is understood that Mr Binning's suspension remains in place and that he is facing a more focused investigation.

Interim appointments

NFRS has more than 400 staff and covers an area of more than 300,000 people.

It appointed two interim bosses on 14 March.

Tyne and Wear Fire Service's assistant chief fire officer Lynsey McVay became interim chief fire officer, while NFRS Assistant Chief Fire Officer Stephen Kennedy became interim deputy chief.

Officials at Northumberland County Council, which oversees the service, confirmed an independent investigation into the culture of the service had been in progress in early February.

Mr Binning, who worked at a range of fire and rescue services in England and Scotland across two decades, was appointed to the Northumberland job in August 2023.

Mr McNeil was appointed as deputy chief in December of the same year.

Like Mr Binning, he served with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service before spending two-and-a-half years with Northumberland as assistant chief fire officer.

A NFRS spokesperson previously said: "The safety of our residents is paramount and our operational command cover and procedures are secure."

The BBC has tried a number of avenues but has been unable to contact either Mr Binning or Mr McNeil directly.

Both have been approached for comment through intermediaries.

Additional reporting by James Robinson, Local Democracy Reporter