Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Union 'sceptical' of reforms in institutionally misogynist and racist London Fire Brigade

The damning review led by former senior prosecutor Nazir Afzal discovered dozens of examples of racism, bullying and misogyny.

Union 'sceptical' of reforms in institutionally misogynist and racist London Fire Brigade

The union representing UK firefighters said Saturday it was "sceptical" London Fire Brigade (LFB) leaders would implement reforms after an independent review concluded the service was institutionally misogynistic and racist.

The LFB has promised a "zero tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment and bullying" and accepted around two dozen recommendations from the damning review led by former senior prosecutor Nazir Afzal.


He discovered dozens of examples of racism, bullying and misogyny, including a female firefighter's helmet being filled with urine and a black employee finding a noose above his locker.

In its response the Fire Brigades Union, the trade union for firefighters and other staff, noted it had "raised concerns about many of the issues contained within this report historically".

Gareth Cook, its regional organiser for London, said the union was "committed to working to address these serious concerns" but that "we remain sceptical about the changes senior leaders will implement with regards to their own behaviours".

"We aim to improve the working conditions of our members and protect them from discrimination and unfair or illegal treatment by representing them in the workplace," he said.

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe apologised late Friday "for the harm that has been caused" after the report's contents were leaked by The Sunday Times.

The service's response includes launching an external complaints system, and piloting the use of bodycams for when staff meet the public on home fire safety visits.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the review "a watershed moment" and the findings "abhorrent".

He demanded "significant and necessary changes to root out all those found to be responsible for sexism, racism, misogyny, homophobia, bullying or harassment -- and to support members of staff to speak out".

The report has echoes of the 1999 Macpherson inquiry into London's Metropolitan Police, following the racist murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence.

That report condemned the force for "institutional racism".

A quarter century on, the Met is still grappling with problems of racial and gender biases, amid a recent slew of allegations of sexual misconduct and discrimination.

More For You

Southport stabbings: Terrorism watchdog rejects definition change

FILE PHOTO: Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle in Southport, England (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Southport stabbings: Terrorism watchdog rejects definition change

TERRORISM watchdog has rejected calls to redefine terrorism following last summer's tragic Southport murders, while recommending a new offence to tackle those intent on mass killings without clear ideological motives.

Jonathan Hall KC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, published his highly anticipated report on Thursday (13), concluding that the existing definition of terrorism should remain unchanged despite growing concerns about violent attackers with unclear motives.

Keep ReadingShow less
Commonwealth wreath-laying ceremony held in London

A military piper, choir, and the Sikh soldiers of the British Army took part in the ceremony.

Commonwealth wreath-laying ceremony held in London

A WREATH-LAYING ceremony was held at the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill in London on 10 March to honour Commonwealth servicemen and women who fought in the First and Second World Wars.

Lord Boateng, chairman of the Memorial Gates Council, led the event, highlighting the importance of remembering those who served.

Keep ReadingShow less
Student visas

The ongoing negotiations focus specifically on business mobility, addressing only the relevant business visas

iStock

Student visas excluded from UK-India FTA talks, says government

THE government last week clarified that only temporary business mobility visas are part of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

Other types of visas, such as student visas, will not be included in the trade deal, it was revealed during a debate in the House of Lords.

Keep ReadingShow less
India Detains Crypto Administrator Wanted by US for Laundering

Aleksej Besciokov, was charged with money laundering and accused of violating sanctions and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, according to the US Justice Department. (Photo: US Secret Service)

India arrests crypto administrator wanted by US for money laundering

INDIAN authorities have arrested a cryptocurrency exchange administrator at the request of the United States on charges of money laundering conspiracy and sanctions violations, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Wednesday.

The arrest follows a joint operation by the United States, Germany, and Finland, which dismantled the online infrastructure of Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer said that the change would free up funds for doctors, nurses, and frontline services while reducing red tape to accelerate improvements in the health system. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer scraps NHS England, brings health service under ministerial control

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer has abolished NHS England, bringing the health service under direct ministerial control.

The decision reverses a key reform introduced by former health secretary Andrew Lansley during the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, The Guardian reported.

Keep ReadingShow less