Scotland's top fire boss has denied offering a former senior colleague a job before interviews had taken place.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service chief Alasdair Hay said he never offered ex-Grampian boss David Dalziel the role of his deputy in the new single force.
Mr Dalziel is suing Scottish Fire and Rescue Service over claims of age discrimination and unfair dismissal.
He claims just days after Mr Hay's appointment last year he was asked to become deputy chief officer at the new national service ahead of its formation on April 1.
But at an employment tribunal yesterday in Aberdeen Mr Hay categorically denied ever making such an offer, and claimed it was Mr Dalziel who staked a claim on the position.
Mr Hay said: "I made no reference to the possibility of him being deputy.
"He asked me what I was thinking about a deputy. I said I was thinking about having two. He said he was not prepared to share it.
"I said, 'David I would be delighted to have you as my deputy but what there has to be is a process'."
With the eight regional forces due to merge into one national force in April this year Mr Dalziel ended up on the shortlist for the Scotland's first Chief Fire Officer.
He was recommended to Minister for Community Safety Roseanna Cunningham for the top role and made the shortlist.
However, he was pipped to the post by former Tayside chief Mr Hay, 50, with the appointment announced on August 16, 2012. The tribunal continues.
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