Suspension of firefighter after trip to palace ‘was vindictive’

Firefighters have demanded the immediate reinstatement of a colleague who was suspended two days after receiving an award from the Queen.

Sian Griffiths was escorted from London fire brigade premises last Thursday after being accused of the "bullying and harassment" of a woman colleague during the recent fire strikes.

Ms Griffiths, 50, who received the Queen's Fire Service Medal at Buckingham Palace for her "trailblazing" work on equalities, has been inundated with 600 messages of support since the Standard broke the story last week.

A letter demanding her reinstatement has been sent to London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson and women firefighters will protest outside a London fire authority meeting on Thursday.

Ms Griffiths, a former station manager at Shadwell, was recently moved to duties at the brigade's Southwark Training Centre.

A prominent union activist, she believes her suspension may be linked to a complaint she had made about one of her superiors.

Ms Griffiths also actively supported the Fire Brigades Union's two eight-hour strikes over the threat to sack all 5,500 firefighters and re-employ them on new shifts.

Ian Leahair, the FBU's executive member for London, said firefighters regarded her treatment as "spiteful and vindictive".

Ghada Razuki, a former firefighter and colleague of Ms Griffiths, who is helping to organise Thursday's lobby, said: "Sian has spent her life campaigning against bullying and harassment at work and has over 25 years of distinguished service."

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "A number of staff have been suspended from duty following evidence of potential acts of gross misconduct. Investigations are ongoing and the brigade cannot comment further at this stage."

The dispute between brigade chiefs and the FBU over changes to shifts will be considered by an independent resolution advisory panel today.