London Fire Brigade ‘institutionally misogynist and racist’, review finds
- The service promised a ‘zero tolerance approach to discrimination’ after an independent review unearthed a ‘toxic culture’ inside the department
- A black firefighter found a noose above his locker, while a female worker’s helmet was filled with urine
London’s fire service said on Friday it was taking “immediate action”, after an independent review concluded it was institutionally misogynistic and racist.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) promised a “zero tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment and bullying” as details of the report were leaked by the press.
The service said it had accepted around two dozen recommendations from a review led by former senior prosecutor Nazir Afzal.
It conceded that the report had “accounts of shockingly poor behaviour and painful experiences over many years”.
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.
I am deeply sorry for the harm that has been caused. I will be fully accountable for improving our culture
The review, launched in March last year, is set to be published imminently. But citing a leaked copy, The Sunday Times said it had unearthed a “toxic culture” inside Britain’s largest fire service.