West Midlands Fire Authority chair resigns amid questions about his military record

The chair of West Midlands Fire Authority has announced his resignation with immediate effect, after questions about his military service record were raised online and in media reports.

Cllr Greg Brackenridge’s announcement comes in the same week that the interim chief of West Midlands Fire Service also resigned.

Brackenridge faced questions over his Royal Marines service record, which he is said to have embelished. He previously told voters that he served as a commando, but The Sun newspaper reported that he allegedly failed to complete the 32-week training in 1988 and left at the rank of recruit without earning his green beret.

Various social media posts also brought Brackenridge’s military service into question, with one demanding his resignation, adding that Brackenridge was employing DARVO (Defend, Attack, Reverse Victim & Offender) tactics since his exposure.

Cllr Brackenridge’s statement, which will be read out at a meeting of West Midlands Fire Authority on Monday, reads: ‘I write to inform you of my resignation as chair from the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority. This has not been a decision taken lightly. Events over recent months are an unnecessary distraction. I will not allow this to happen.

‘As with all public services, West Midlands Fire Service and its employees require stability allowing them to focus on service delivery. I wish to reassure the public that the prevention, protection and response services they receive from firefighters and support staff at West Midlands Fire Service has always remained outstanding, and the quest for continual improvement in all areas of their work is a key focus’.

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, the second biggest in the country, is now without a CEO or a chairman.

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