Fire service boss resignation agreed despite u-turn

Oliver Lee's resignation was accepted despite his attempts to withdraw it

The West Midlands Fire Authority (WMFA) has accepted the resignation of the fire service's interim chief executive, despite his attempt to withdraw it.

The decision was made during the authority's meeting on Monday, which had been told Oliver Lee had changed his mind over leaving his role.

Councillor Catherine Miks, WMFA vice chair, said it had been a "difficult and disruptive" period, which also includes the resignation of authority chairman Greg Brackenridge on Saturday.

Mr Lee said on LinkedIn that his employment had been "terminated" and criticised the authority for a "lack of duty of care".

In a statement released after Monday’s meeting, Ms Miks confirmed that deputy chief fire officer Simon Barry would continue to lead West Midlands Fire Service until a permanent appointment was made.

"I realise these have been difficult and disruptive times, but the authority is entirely committed to ensuring we support our staff to provide an outstanding service to the communities of the West Midlands," she said.

Mr Lee was suspended from his role last week in the wake of online criticism he made of the service's governance, saying it lacked courage, transparency and honesty.

He then announced his resignation on Thursday evening, but has now said he tried to withdraw it after he felt the situation "might have changed".

But Mr Lee said in a post on LinkedIn on Monday that the authority had "terminated" his employment.

He described it as an "extraordinary lack of duty of care", which he said was something he had "tried so hard to change for the better".

Mr Lee was appointed following the death of the service's previous chief, Wayne Brown, in January.

While in post, Mr Lee made several critical statements, also accusing the governance of being "wholly impossible", adding he would not be applying for the permanent chief executive position.

Those comments brought him into dispute with Mr Brackenridge, and he would go on to share what he said were contents of a message from the authority chairman purportedly expressing disappointment over the complaints - which, Mr Lee said, showed why "West Midlands Fire Service can't work".

The former chair also came under fire, including from opposition councillors, after further claims were made on social media.

'Unnecessary distraction'

Mr Brackenridge, an elected member of City of Wolverhampton Council, sent a statement to authority members explaining his exit.

In it, he said: "Events over recent months are an unnecessary distraction. I will not allow this to happen."

He did not expand on the nature of the events to which he referred.

The authority was told during Monday’s meeting that it would have to nominate and elect a new chair at its next meeting and that City of Wolverhampton Council would choose a new representative.

It then heard an independent review would be carried out by the Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services, Andy Cooke.

That review would be carried out alongside the scheduled inspection of the service, due to be carried out next month.

The authority said it was committed to a "fair and transparent" process, which it hoped would reassure staff and the public.