'Mutiny' as West Midlands Fire Service chief makes extraordinary 'no confidence' threat

The interim chief executive of West Midlands Fire Service, Oliver Lee, has published an extraordinary LinkedIn post in a battle with the organisation's Fire Authority, claming he is 'speaking for firefighters'

The interim chief executive of West Midlands Fire Service has posted an extraordinary series of messages on LinkedIn announcing his intent to declare 'no confidence' in the councillors who are his bosses.

Oliver Lee, a decorated former Marines colonel brought in to steady the fire service following the tragic death of former chief Wayne Brown, posted two consecutive messages on the social media platform announcing his stance on Thursday night, October 3. He said he would be 'declaring a vote of no confidence' in those responsible for governing the region's 1,900 fire staff and stations.

Minutes later he doubled down by sharing publicly the content of a private message sent to him by fire authority chairman Greg Brackenridge that instructed him to attend an urgent meeting to discuss his comments. Mr Lee referred to the request as 'bullying' and 'a threat' - that reaction almost certainly makes his position untenable.

READ MORE: West Midlands Fire Chief to step down with damning public message

It is not the first time Lee has used social media to dig at the organisation responsible for overseeing the emergency service. Last month he announced he would not be putting his name forward for the permanent job after six months as interim, describing the service's governance as "wholly impossible, lacking as it does courage, transparency, care and honesty." He later agreed to stay pending a permanent appointment.

In his latest post, he wrote that he was speaking out after visiting four fire stations during that day where firefighters told him they wanted him to stay and the fire authority leaders to go. He wrote that one said they would 'go on strike' to make their point.

Some told him they had individually and as a fire station raised their concerns with the fire authority but there had been "no response at all to anyone." Mr Lee said the largely Labour-led authority was 'not being held to account' and firefighters were threatening to quit because of concerns. Fire crew staff were asking him to 'tell us what to do,' he said.

READ MORE: West Midlands Fire Service 'heartbroken' after sixth colleague dies as chief denies 'scandal' claim

He went on: "Really difficult day answering such questions. The answer is - the fire authority is wholly unable and incapable of properly looking after and presiding over its 1,900 people. This is why people in this sector are so scared. It is also why it all remains the same. Until this changes, nothing will change."

He said: "I shall issue a vote of no confidence in this Authority, which will include two of three statutory officers currently serving. 1,900 people deserve far better." He concludes his post with three hashtags: '#leadership #standup #moralcourage'.

In response to one comment, Mr Lee wrote: "For me it is simply about doing the right thing for organisations over which you fleetingly find yourself the custodian." The message from Coun Brackenridge that Mr Lee published read: "I am very disappointed to see your LinkedIn post of this evening. I am instructing you to meet with me tomorrow morning at 11:30am. A Teams invite will be sent to you shortly. I will be in attendance along with the Vice Chair. I will speak to you in the morning."

There were a flurry of immediate replies to the post, the vast majority supportive of Mr Lee's stance. Messages were also sent in to BirminghamLive about the post. One firefighter declared Mr Lee's post amounted to the 'start of a mutiny'.

Prior to Mr Lee's public posts, BirminghamLive had been in contact with the fire service to ask a series of questions about ongoing concerns, some related to allegations about the qualifications and conduct of former fire chief Wayne Brown, who was found dead earlier this year.

At the time of his death he was facing investigation over whether or not he held an MBA qualification, as he had claimed. Other allegations have since surfaced. In a statement the service said: "We continue to regret the impact that ongoing speculation about Wayne Brown will be having on his family and friends. An investigation into allegations relating to Wayne Brown ended when, tragically, he died. This was in line with regulations around an individual’s right of reply."

The fire authority is made up of mostly Labour councillors drawn from the seven local authorities that make up the West Midlands area, plus the region's police and crime commissioner Simon Foster. Coun Brackenridge chairs the authority, and has been personally under fire over the handling of the Wayne Brown situation.

We have repeatedly requested interviews with Coun Brackenridge which have all been denied. Birmingham members are David Barrie (Cons), Basharat Mahmood, Gurdial Atwal and Hendrina Quinnen (all Lab). Coventry representatives are Gavin Lloyd and Catherine Miks (both Lab). Adam Aston and Cathryn Bayton (both Lab) represent Dudley. Sandwell representatives are Rizwan Jalil and Khayam Khan (both Lab). Peter Hogarth represents Solihull. Simran Cheema (Lab) and Kenneth Ferguson (Cons) represent Walsall. Jasbinder Kaur Behar is the other Wolverhampton councillor.

BirminghamLive recently approached Birmingham members Couns Quinnen and Atwal to discuss their membership of the fire authority and to ask them to comment on Mr Lee's initial post and whether they felt the fire authority was performing well; both declined to comment.

Mr Lee took over as chief executive in March. A former Royal Marine colonel, he had a decorated career serving on the front line in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was in charge of ops when 12 of his men were killed flying into Iraq during the second Gulf War; he later quit the military 'on a matter of principle' over the murder court case against Marine A in Afghanistan.

An inquest into the circumstances around the death of Mr Brown is due to be held in the spring. Separately, fire instructor Benjamin Walker is facing trial next year on an allegation of harassment against Mr Brown. He has denied the charge.

We have contacted the Fire Service and Authority, and reached out to Coun Brackenridge to comment about the latest posts from Mr Lee. The Fire Authority next meets on October 14.