PRESS RELEASE : Fire Committee responds to LFB culture review findings [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 25 November 2022.

Responding to Nazir Afzal OBE’s review of culture at the London Fire Brigade, Anne Clarke AM, Chair of the London Assembly Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee, said:

“It is devastating that Jaden Francois-Esprit tragically took his own life when he should have been looking forward to a future in the London Fire Brigade.

“A recent report by the Inspectorate made clear there needs to be a major cultural shift in the Brigade, but the examples of horrific racist and misogynistic abuse uncovered by Nazir Afzal in his review are simply shocking.

“This toxic culture in parts of the Brigade threatens to overshadow the efforts of thousands of dedicated firefighters doing incredible work every day to keep Londoners safe.

“The London Fire Commissioner has told us he is aware of the scale of the challenge and we call on him to take forward recommendations from the culture review with a matter of urgency.

“The Committee looks forward to discussing the findings and recommendations of the review in detail at a meeting with Mr Afzal in the new year.”