Fire bosses set out anti-racist stance

Edinburgh Evening News | Monday, 7 September 2009 | Click here for original article

FIRE bosses in the Lothians have insisted they will use "the full extent" of their powers to deal with any employee who promotes the ideology of racist groups.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service issued a statement on its race policy after fire boards elsewhere in the UK said they would dismiss any staff found to be British National Party members.

Andy Fulton, chairman of the Lothian and Borders Fire Brigades Union, presented a deputation at a fire board meeting asking for it to clarify its position.

The fire board's statement said: "The board recognises the rights of any individual to being a member of any bona fide political party or legitimate organisation.

"However, the board condemns the activity of any such group with an ideology based on racist or other principles that are contrary to values and beliefs of the board.

"Furthermore, the board would seek to use the full extent of its powers in dealing with any employee who seeks to promote the ideology of any such group."