Reform’s Zia Yusuf has blasted a section of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue after he revealed that they have been “hounding” staff for standing as Reform candidates.
He said: “Astonishingly, the heads of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s (GMFRS) ‘race and faith’ network have sent an email to firefighters, targeting staff members standing as candidates for Reform UK.
“The email stated these individuals were ‘spoken to’ and that management is seeking ‘legal guidance’ to protect their ‘inclusive culture.’
“Sending an anti-Reform UK political broadcast on public systems during a regulated election period is a shocking breach of electoral neutrality and is unlawful.
“Firefighters have every legal right to stand for election.
“Hounding staff for lawful political views is unacceptable and is proof of the exact perception that anyone questioning an aggressive DEI agenda will be chased out of their job.
“Petch and Ahmed – the network heads responsible – appear to have committed gross misconduct and should be dismissed.
“GMFRS must apologise to Reform UK and the affected staff.
Zia Yusuf has hit out at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue after it was claimed they had spoken to staff about standing for Reform during May’s local elections
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“We have given GMFRS until Wednesday to answer 8 specific demands, including providing transcripts of what was said to our candidates and explaining why these network heads are permitted to weaponize IT systems.
“I am also calling on HMICFRS and the Electoral Commission to urgently investigate this unlawful breach.”
Within the letter, Mr Yusuf stated: “Hounding staff for their political views is Orwellian and has no place in a free society.
“It also fuels the perception held by emergency service workers past and present, and the wider public, that anyone who dares to question or dissent against an aggressive ‘diversity, equality and inclusion’ agenda is sanctioned and chased out of their job.
Zia Yusuf has made a list of demands to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue
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“Reform UK’s support for the fundamental right to free expression is unequivocal.
“We are committed to repealing legislation that enforces DEI, whilst maintaining protections for expressing lawful political beliefs in the workplace and elsewhere.
“GMFRS should apologise to Reform UK and affected staff members for this incident.
“Petch and Ahmed appear to have committed gross misconduct and should be dismissed.
“Please confirm what actions you are taking to address Petch and Ahmed’s potentially illegal conduct.”
The Reform spokesman has asked to see all communications sent to Reform UK candidates in the May local elections, as well as what was said to the staff members when they were “spoken to.”
The Daily Mail reported on the email, claiming that it read: “We are aware that some staff members have chosen to represent Reform UK in their local areas,
“We know this may cause concern within our network and wider.
“The individuals involved have been spoken to, to make it clear that as members of the GMFRS, our core values and professional behaviours must be displayed at all times.
“The service is currently seeking formal legal guidance, to ensure we are all protected from all perspectives and that our inclusive culture remains safe.
“If you have any personal concerns or feel impacted by this, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.”
GB News has contacted Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue for comment.