Fire chief faces probe into Hume case dispute claim

Senior News Reporter

Friday 31 August 2012

THE off-duty conduct of one of Scotland's top fire officers is being investigated following an alleged dispute in a Glasgow cafe bar over the Alison Hume tragedy.

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Alison Campsie

Brian Sweeney, chief officer of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, is at the centre of a formal complaint by retired Watch Commander John Bowman, a witness during the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the failed 2008 rescue of Ms Hume from a disused mine shaft.

It is understood to be the first time in Scotland that a chief fire officer is being investigated over an incident that allegedly took place out of working hours.Mr Bowman claimed he was "publicly berated" by his former boss on a city centre night out in light of his evidence, which was broadly critical of the brigade's rescue procedures.In a formal letter of complaint, Mr Bowman said: "I am extremely concerned where the principal officer of Scotland's largest fire service feels it permissible to publicly berate a former member of staff for having appeared in court and before an inquiry."It has been reported that Mr Sweeney allegedly made a number of comments after Mr Bowman tried, but failed, to shake the chief officer's hand. Mr Bowman later added: "It is conduct unbecoming of the principal officer in the fire brigade. If that's his nature, people should know."Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said it would not comment on the matter with the brigade's board confirming that a complaint had been made. A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Council, who are the lead authority for the Fire Board, confirmed it had received a letter of complaint."The fatal accident inquiry into Mrs Hume's death, overseen by Sheriff Desmond Leslie, concluded the solicitor and mother-of- two may have lived if emergency services – and the fire service in particular – had removed her sooner from the shaft near Galston, North Ayrshire.The Crown Office has yet to rule out criminal charges against officers involved in Ms Hume's rescue. Last week, Ms Hume's family criticised Mr Sweeney for making public comments about the case while prosecution is still being considered.

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Fire chief faces probe into Hume case dispute claim

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