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Gloucestershire fire chief 'gave support in return for hospitality' | Gloucestershire fire chief 'gave support in return for hospitality' |
(about 16 hours later) | |
A fire chief undercharged Cheltenham racecourse for giving fire support in return for its festival hospitality, it has been alleged. | A fire chief undercharged Cheltenham racecourse for giving fire support in return for its festival hospitality, it has been alleged. |
A BBC Freedom of Information request revealed Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service charged varying amounts while Stewart Edgar was chief officer. | |
Gloucestershire Constabulary said there was currently "no evidence of criminality" around the allegations. | |
Mr Edgar and the racecourse have both denied any wrongdoing. | Mr Edgar and the racecourse have both denied any wrongdoing. |
Whistleblowers told the BBC Mr Edgar, who resigned last year, negotiated a cheaper rate for providing the service in return for the use of a hospitality box. | Whistleblowers told the BBC Mr Edgar, who resigned last year, negotiated a cheaper rate for providing the service in return for the use of a hospitality box. |
On one occasion, during the annual National Hunt festival, the racecourse was not charged anything to provide support. | |
'Never sufficient' | 'Never sufficient' |
The council, which oversees the fire service, said it was a statutory duty for the fire service to work with race organisers "to reduce suffering or harm to animals and riders". | |
During the annual festival the service would typically provide eight staff on each of the four days, each covering a 10-hour shift, it added. | During the annual festival the service would typically provide eight staff on each of the four days, each covering a 10-hour shift, it added. |
Figures obtained showed Cheltenham Racecourse was charged vastly different amounts for providing support during the festival when Mr Edgar was in charge. | |
In March 2015, it paid £10,950, in 2016 it paid £5,460, in 2017 it was not charged and in 2018 it paid £4,550. | |
The council said on each of these occasions the amount charged was "never sufficient to cover the cost of the crews attending". | The council said on each of these occasions the amount charged was "never sufficient to cover the cost of the crews attending". |
Following Mr Edgar's departure, this year the race course was charged £14,960. | |
Mr Edgar said in a statement he denied any wrongdoing and he "does not accept acting improperly at any time". | |
The racecourse said it had "not provided any contra hospitality in exchange for services from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue or any individual associated with the service". | The racecourse said it had "not provided any contra hospitality in exchange for services from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue or any individual associated with the service". |
A spokesman added: "Any non-payment for services in 2017 will be because we have yet to be invoiced for payment." | A spokesman added: "Any non-payment for services in 2017 will be because we have yet to be invoiced for payment." |
A spokesman for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "Yesterday we received further documentation from the county council in relation to their audits of the fire and rescue service. | |
"This has now been assessed and currently what we have received does not constitute evidence of criminality. | |
"We will continue to review information as it is submitted." | |
Gloucestershire County Council, which oversees the fire service, said its internal audit team will look investigate. | |
Last week other allegations concerning Mr Edgar's conduct while chief fire officer were highlighted in an internal audit. | Last week other allegations concerning Mr Edgar's conduct while chief fire officer were highlighted in an internal audit. |
Mr Edgar resigned last year over the sale of a Land Rover, which he undersold then later bought for himself. A police investigation into that incident is continuing. | Mr Edgar resigned last year over the sale of a Land Rover, which he undersold then later bought for himself. A police investigation into that incident is continuing. |
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