Fire boss who slammed service's governance suspended

Oliver Lee recently said the fire service's governance lacked "courage, transparency, care and honesty"

The interim boss of West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), who online has recently criticised its governance, has been suspended from his post.

The situation involving chief executive officer Oliver Lee was confirmed in a statement released by the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority (WMFRA) on Monday.

"This is not a decision the Fire Authority ever wanted to have to take, or takes lightly," the statement said.

WMFRA added the suspension was subject to ratification by the full Fire Authority.

In a LinkedIn post last month, Mr Lee said WMFS's governance was "wholly impossible", and that he would not be applying for the permanent role.

He also said the service's governance lacked "courage, transparency, care and honesty".

In the last week, Mr Lee took to LinkedIn again, outlining his intention to issue a vote of no confidence in WMFRA.

He then shared what he said was the contents of a message from Fire Authority chairman Greg Brackenridge, purportedly expressing disappointment over Mr Lee's comments.

Mr Lee said the contents of that message - about which he made several accusations - showed why "West Midlands Fire Service can't work".

Mr Lee was appointed chief executive on an interim basis in March following the death of the service's previous chief Wayne Brown in January.

The WMFRA statement said that if Mr Lee's suspension was upheld, an independent person would be appointed to carry out an investigation into the matter.

"In what has been a very difficult year for West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), it is hugely deflating for all involved that we have reached this point, and we realise this will cause further public concern," the statement continued.

"The day-to-day running of the service continues under the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Simon Barry, supported by the rest of the leadership team.

"They remain fully focused on ensuring our people can continue to deliver a vital and outstanding emergency service to the communities of the West Midlands."

The statement also said Mr Lee's concerns would "continue to be investigated independently".