South Wales Fire: New chief officer faces harassment claims

Stuart Millington was installed as interim chief officer at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service last week

The man brought in to lead a Welsh fire service rocked by claims of poor behaviour is himself facing allegations of harassment and discrimination.

The Welsh government sent commissioners into South Wales Fire and Rescue Service after a damning report about harassment and misogyny.

They appointed Stuart Millington, who is facing an employment tribunal, to be an interim chief fire officer.

It is understood Mr Millington has denied the allegations.

His appointment has been defended by the Welsh government commissioners.

Mr Millington is on secondment from his job as assistant chief fire officer in north Wales, and is facing an employment tribunal alongside that service, and another senior officer.

An initial hearing is due to take place next month.

The claimant, an employee of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, says they have been subject to harassment and discrimination, and have been penalised for taking part in trade union activities.

Mr Millington and the other officer are also accused of behaving in an intimidating and bullying manner.

Opposition parties have raised concerns in the wake of the story, initially reported by ITV Wales.

Separately, the White Ribbon campaign, which works to end violence against women and girls, has suspended its accreditation to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

It said it did this after allegations of sexism and racism raised in the report by ITV.

There is no suggestion Mr Millington has been sexist or racist in the complaint to the tribunal.

Mr Millington was confirmed as the interim chief fire officer last Friday, days after the commissioners were installed by Deputy Minister for Social Partnership Hannah Blythyn.

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Duncan Stewart Ball, regional secretary for Wales for the Fire Brigades Union, said his organisation was "extremely concerned", and he called for the appointment to be reversed.

"It was carried out with no due diligence. We have concerns that the process was not open and transparent.

"The worrying thing for us is that it feels like lessons haven't been learned and it's another job for the boys."

He called for a wider review of the service: "With so many concerning revelations from the review that was carried out in south Wales, it is extremely difficult to believe that these are only issues confined to one service."

Conservative MS Joel James said the appointment was "perplexing".

"I have written to the deputy minister for social partnership outlining concerns that I, and residents who have contacted me have with regards to this appointment, because it shows a complete lack of understanding at the very highest level of what needs to change."

Hannah Blythyn installed commissioners into South Wales Fire and Rescue service in February

Plaid Cymru MS Sioned Williams also called for a full review of Wales' fire services: "The fact that there are allegations against the interim chief fire officer who was only appointed by commissioners last week is deeply worrying and threatens to undermine efforts to a create new culture within the service."

"Serious questions must be asked about the due diligence taken during the appointment by the commissioners and the Labour government on which they acted on behalf of. "

She said the commissioners and the deputy minister "must now reconsider the appropriateness of the appointment and investigate the allegations in the short-term and as a matter of urgency".

'Further allegations'

Conservative MP for Vale of Clwyd James Davies said he had been made "aware of a number of allegations regarding the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service which would appear to be equally, if not more, concerning than those highlighted within the south Wales service. I wrote to the relevant minister at the Welsh government on 6 February to flag these allegations".

"The concerns in relation to north Wales need to be further scrutinised, as it would appear to me that intervention along the lines of the cultural review in south Wales may be required."

He said the appointment was "naturally perplexing".

North Wales chief fire officer Dawn Docx said: "We do not tolerate inappropriate behaviour or language of any kind in our organisation. We continually strive to achieve the best culture in accordance with our core values, and have robust policies, procedures and guidance in place that support us in achieving the highest possible standards expected by members of the public.

"We also regularly assess the effectiveness of these current procedures and practices relevant to workplace culture, comparing them to legal requirements and best practice and make recommendations for improvement.

"Whilst it would be improper for us to comment on any particular grievance, we do provide Welsh government with details of cases of inappropriate behaviour, including bullying and harassment, on a regular basis."

She added: "Clearly it is disappointing that White Ribbon UK has chosen to suspend our accreditation following recent media coverage and we will be looking to work with them to discuss their concerns on this matter."

'Met the prerequisites'

The commissioners, who include former Education Minister Kirsty Williams and Labour peer Baroness Wilcox, defended the appointment in a statement.

They said: "A number of individuals were considered during the process, with Stuart meeting the prerequisites put in place by the commissioners in regard to previous experience and ability to ensure business continuity within the service. Taking all that into account, the commissioners for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service decided to appoint Stuart Millington as the interim chief fire officer."

A South Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Stuart Millington has been appointed as interim chief fire officer by the four independent commissioners under their terms of reference in order to maintain operational leadership continuity.

"South Wales Fire and Rescue Service will continue to deliver its frontline services as usual.

"The commissioners are committed to implementing all the recommendations of the review and delivering long term and sustainable change to the culture at SWFRS."

A Welsh government spokesperson said: "The commissioners are doing important and valued work to implement the changes needed at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

"They have full powers to restructure and reform service management and instil a positive, non-discriminatory culture. They will remain until the service is demonstrably an inclusive and welcoming workplace for all.

"An interim chief fire officer has been appointed by the commissioners and a permanent chief fire officer post will be advertised and appointed as soon as possible."

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have refused request for comment from Mr Millington.