News Articles
8th July, 2006
Firemen Face Sack For Gay Fest Snub
(source Scottish Sun)
A crew of 14 fire-fighters are facing the sack for refusing to hand out safety leaflets at a gay festival.
The men went blazing mad after officers told them to turn out at the Mardi Gras-style event. They poured
cold water over the idea of turning up at the event in Glasgow city centre. One member of Red Watch at
Cowcaddens fire station even asked his priest to back his claim that he was refusing on moral grounds.
But fire chiefs turned their hoses on the men for refusing to follow orders. They started disciplinary action
against the crew, who responded by calling in Fire Brigade Union officials. The row blew up over last
month's Pride Scotia Parade - -"The national gay,bisexual and transgender festival".
Last night one furious fire-fighter said: "The men didn't feel comfortable about taking part. One of the fire-
fighters even called in a priest to show that he was refusing on moral grounds. But the bosses wouldn't
listen and now the lads have all been reported."
A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said: "A disciplinary inquiry is taking place over an issue
concerning the promotion of community fire safety."
