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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Death threat issued to fire chief | Death threat issued to fire chief |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Avon's chief fire officer said he has received a death threat after disciplining four firefighters for being on Bristol Downs. | Avon's chief fire officer said he has received a death threat after disciplining four firefighters for being on Bristol Downs. |
| The incident led to a furore amid media claims the officers were in trouble for shining a light at men having sex. | The incident led to a furore amid media claims the officers were in trouble for shining a light at men having sex. |
| Kevin Pearson said he had received up to 300 abusive emails since then and was still receiving them. | Kevin Pearson said he had received up to 300 abusive emails since then and was still receiving them. |
| But he insisted: "Many of the responses I received were nothing short of hysterical homophobia." | But he insisted: "Many of the responses I received were nothing short of hysterical homophobia." |
| The abuse followed his intervention after an incident where four firefighters were disciplined for being in the wrong location in June. | The abuse followed his intervention after an incident where four firefighters were disciplined for being in the wrong location in June. |
| It was later reported that they had disturbed men having sex on the Bristol Downs. | It was later reported that they had disturbed men having sex on the Bristol Downs. |
| The service launched a six-week investigation after the crew was reported as being in an area without authority. | The service launched a six-week investigation after the crew was reported as being in an area without authority. |
| It is not my job to make judgements about people's lifestyle Kevin Pearson | It is not my job to make judgements about people's lifestyle Kevin Pearson |
| After the inquiry, one of the firefighters was demoted and two others fined. All were given written warnings. | After the inquiry, one of the firefighters was demoted and two others fined. All were given written warnings. |
| Mr Pearson said: "The reaction we got from the media [shows] that homophobia is evidently still widespread in our society. | Mr Pearson said: "The reaction we got from the media [shows] that homophobia is evidently still widespread in our society. |
| "It is not my job to make judgements about people's lifestyle. It is my job to make judgements about the behaviour and actions of my staff. | "It is not my job to make judgements about people's lifestyle. It is my job to make judgements about the behaviour and actions of my staff. |
| "There was no evidence of illegal or sexual activity. The reports made a connection to activities that may or may not take place on Clifton Downs. | "There was no evidence of illegal or sexual activity. The reports made a connection to activities that may or may not take place on Clifton Downs. |
| "I would point out to people that whatever their views on disciplinary sanctions, the officers involved were advised they could appeal and none of those involved chose to." | "I would point out to people that whatever their views on disciplinary sanctions, the officers involved were advised they could appeal and none of those involved chose to." |
| The regional secretary of the Fire Brigades' Union, John Drake, declined to comment on the initial incident which led to the disciplinary hearing. | The regional secretary of the Fire Brigades' Union, John Drake, declined to comment on the initial incident which led to the disciplinary hearing. |
| "We condemn any death threats made and hope that, if there is a police investigation, they get the maximum possible [sentence if convicted]," he said. | |
| Mr Pearson said he had not reported the death threat to police. | Mr Pearson said he had not reported the death threat to police. |
| A conference on homophobia has now been organised by the service. | A conference on homophobia has now been organised by the service. |