West Midlands Fire boss withdraws from role after four days

The new chief at West Midlands Fire and Rescue has withdrawn from the role, four days after his appointment was announced.

Ben Brook, who was announced as chief fire officer on Friday, stepped away from the service after a “period of reflection”, said the authority’s Vice Chair Councillor Catherine Miks.

Mr Brook had felt there was still too much work to be done at neighbouring Warwickshire Fire and Rescue where he served as chief fire officer, she said.

There have been calls for a public inquiry into the West Midlands authority after the interim chief executive and chairman of the fire authority both resigned. Former chief fire officer Wayne Brown was found dead at his home in January.

“Ben feels the pull of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service and the work still to be done there is greater than the pull back to the West Midlands, and so he has informed us that he will be continuing in his role there,” Miks said.

“I hope I speak for the service when I say we respect Ben’s decision and wish he and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service well.”

She said the service was currently working on their “next steps” in its search for the next chief fire officer.

Aldridge Brownhills MP Wendy Morton recently called for an independent public inquiry into the service saying there were “deep rooted and troubling problems” there.

She spoke after Oliver Lee left his role as interim chief executive, accusing the service of being impossible to lead. Greg Brackenridge, chairman of the service’s governing authority, stepped down from his post the same month.

Mr Brown was being investigated over allegations he falsely claimed to have a business administration qualification needed for his job.