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London Fire Brigade branded ‘institutionally racist and misogynist’ after independent review
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is “institutionally misogynist and racist”, an independent review of its culture has concluded.
A 90-page report following a 10-month review found incidents of misogyny, racism and bullying at the UK’s largest firefighting and rescue organisation.
Evidence of racism at the LFB was heard at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry a year ago, when Andy Roe, the brigade’s commissioner, described hearing a colleague use racist language to describe Somali people.
The new review, published yesterday, highlighted one case in which a Black firefighter had a noose put above his locker. In another case, a Muslim staff member had bacon and sausages put in his coat pockets and a terrorist hotline sign posted on his locker.
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The review also heard evidence of women being groped in training exercises and “having to run a daily gauntlet of sexist abuse”, the report said.
The Independent Culture Review, chaired by former chief crown prosecutor Nazir Afzal, was set up after firefighter Jaden Matthew Francois-Esprit took his own life in August 2020. His family was concerned he had been the victim of racist bullying.
In his conclusion, Mr Afzal wrote: “My review found evidence that supports a finding that LFB is institutionally misogynist and racist.”
The report includes 23 recommendations.
On the LFB’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire, the report found that the brigade’s initial response to the tragedy “significantly damaged trust”.
The review said: “One group reported that they felt the LFB has focused solely on trying to control the narrative and ‘not talk about anything other than the heroic fire brigade’.”
Dany Cotton, who was the LFB’s commissioner at the time of the Grenfell Tower fire, retired earlier than planned after the official inquiry into the disaster found serious failings in the LFB’s response.
The independent review also said there was a need for increased trauma specialism and mental health awareness, and described Grenfell as a “turning point”.
An unspecified number of LFB staff had retired due to ill health because of the tragedy, the report said. In addition, 88 periods of sickness absence had been related to the disaster, the review found.
In a letter to Mr Roe, Mr Afzal said: “While the review will undoubtedly make painful reading, as it includes accounts of abhorrent behaviours that have no place in London Fire Brigade, I am a big believer that sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
In his response, Mr Roe said that he accepts the recommendations and will be “fully accountable for improving our culture”.
He added: “There is no place for discrimination, harassment and bullying in the brigade and from today it will be completely clear what behaviour isn’t acceptable and what the consequences will be.”
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