London’s Fire Commissioner apologised for the hurt caused after a damning culture review found the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to be “institutionally misogynist and racist”.
The review by Nazir Afzal OBE made 23 recommendations to the service after testimonies from 2,000 members of staff found “dangerous levels of ingrained prejudice against women” and that people of colour are “frequently the target of racist abuse”.
It was launched by the London Fire Commissioner in response to the death of firefighter Jaden Matthew Francois-Esprit, who tragically took his own life aged 21 in August 2020.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said there is “no place for discrimination, harassment and bullying” in London’s fire service and committed to implementing the recommendations.
The London Assembly Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee will meet tomorrow to consider the findings of the review and scrutinise the Brigade’s response and actions to date. The guests are:
- Nazir Afzal OBE
- Andy Roe, London Fire Commissioner
- Baroness Twycross, Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience
- Tim Powell, Director for People, LFB
- Gareth Beeton, Chair – London Region, Fire Brigades Union
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 1 February 2023 from 2pm, in The Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Read the agenda papers.
- Anne Clarke AM, Chair of the Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.