Union 'welcomes' commissioner's standing down plan

Stephen Mold said he "regretted" using the inappropriate language

Fire Brigades Union has "welcomed" the decision by a police, fire and crime commissioner (PFCC) not to stand for re-election.

Stephen Mold, the Conservative PFCC for Northamptonshire, was said to have made misogynistic remarks about the county's chief fire officer Nikki Watson at a meeting with firefighters.

In a statement, he said he had made a "significant mistake" and announced he would not stand for re-election in May.

Union spokesperson Adam Taylor said it was the latest in a set of "questionable" decisions made by Mr Mold.

Mr Mold was already under pressure for appointing Ms Watson as chief fire officer after it emerged she was currently under investigation in relation to her time with Avon and Somerset Police.

He was then said to have used a derogatory term in a meeting at Moulton Fire Station, when he claimed Ms Watson would be removed from her post if the inquiry did not find in her favour.

Mr Taylor called for the PFCC to "resign immediately", adding that "firefighters have felt very vulnerable over the past eight months".

He said the service "needed a period of stability without him [Mr Mold] at the helm."

The investigation into Ms Watson follows the suspension of Northamptonshire Police chief Nick Adderley amid ongoing misconduct and criminal investigations into claims he misrepresented his military service.