Fire Service boss reverses his decision to quit

Oliver Lee was suspended he announced he would go last week

Author: Claire EmmsPublished 14th Oct 2024

The CEO at West Midlands Fire Service had quit after making damning remarks about how the organisation is run.

It's after he was suspended earlier this week for criticising the governance, claiming it lacks "courage, transparency, care, and honesty."

But a meeting of the West Midlands Fire Authority today (Monday) he announced that he's changed his mind, with the body also informed that its chairman, Greg Brackenridge, had decided to quit.

The authority also announced there would be an independent review of the governance, led by a government inspector.

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

The West Midlands Fire Service said: "While the last few weeks have been unsettling for our staff, their commitment to our communities and their crucial, lifesaving roles to protect the three million people of the West Midlands has never wavered.

"We are proud that our staff have and always will serve our communities.

"We will continue to work with our partners at the National Fire Chiefs Council, Home Office and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services to ensure their comfort and confidence in our work."

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.