The Suffolk Hyde Affair - Doc 140 Felixstowe Retained Firefighter

Lowestoft
NR 33 9BT

Thompson’s Solicitors
Congress House
Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3LW
Fax 01716370000

Ref CDJ/FBU/F98/60224

26th April 1999

Dear Craig

With reference to NOTE FOR FILE dated 19th January 1999 – meeting with T/ASDO Saward and myself.
On that day T/ADO Saward asked me to revert back to Firefighter. I said to him, ‘Is this an order?’ He said ‘No, I am asking you.’

I then replied that if he was only asking, I would not revert. I referred him to the memorandum dated 25.09.98 from ADO Fuller. He then said that the letter was ‘flawed.’

I told him that I did not understand what he was talking about. I told him that I was tired of being picked on and messed around. I asked him who’s idea it was to revert my rank. He said that it was his. I said that I did not believe him. I told him to check his facts regarding this matter as I knew he was wrong and I said I would be prepared to take the matter further. At no time was I abusive. In fact T/ADO Saward was very nervous and not comfortable with what he was proposing.

As his note for file states it was only a proposal at this stage and the meeting ended with both parties left to reflect on the situation.

I then received, on 25th January, T/ADO Saward’s letter dated 20th January 1999. I was very surprised that he was confirming a situation that never happened. How can one confirm a proposal without any further discussion together with a proposed date for this to take place.

I was not ordered until the 5th February.

This took place at my grievance hearing with T/ADO Saward, witnessed by ADO E. Smith and Firefighter Mark Gilbert (FBU branch chair at the time). to get to the point I asked T/ADO Saward again if he was ordering me to revert my rank. He still stated that he was not ordering me, he was asking me. I said to him, ‘if that is the case what does his letter dated 20th January mean?’

He stated that it was an instruction, ‘I said do you mean an order?’ He said ‘No.’

I then said, ‘for Gods sake man your confusing me, if its an order, order me.’

He then said ‘alright then it’s an order.’

I then said ‘right I will remove my rank markings’ which I did there and then.

I then said that after some enquiries I may well be replacing them. He then asked me if I wanted him to confirm what his decision is orally. I said that I did not want anything orally from him and wanted it in writing, this he agreed to, but it has never happened.

With regards to minutes in the bundle (meeting between FF M Hyde and ADO Saward) T/ADO Saward states that ADO E Smith took contemporaneous notes. This is not true and has been reported to me by ADO Smith in front of the watch who are my witnesses regarding this. ADO E Smith was asked to write a report later by T/ADO Saward. This he did from memory several days later. He let me read his report before sending it. It was not accurate and he said it was only his personal notes.

Later ADO E Smith told me in front of the watch again that he had his knuckles rapped by ACFO Seager for showing me his account and appraisal.

T/ADO Saward wanted him to change his account and say that I was abusive. ADO E smith said that he could not do that as it was not the case.

With regards to T/ADO Saward’s NOTE FOR FILE (29.01.99) I want this withdrawn from all proceedings. The charge that is levied is appertaining to a member on duty and in uniform, I was not on duty or in uniform.
T/ADO Saward’s account of his visit to my house has no foundation at all. I am in the process of getting witness statements regarding this visit. In essence T/ADO Saward was peeping through the window at my wife and daughter and caused them alarm and distress. That is why I went outside after him. My window is no where near the front door and he had to deliberately go out of his way to peep through the window at my wife and daughter.

I did report this to DO Hodge by letter shortly afterwards but he denies having received a complaint form from me.

With regards to your second question dated 22.04.99. I was unable to attend an off duty meeting with T/ADO Saward on the 4th February and arranged to meet him on the 5th when I was on duty.

I hope that this letter clarifies a few things

Yours sincerely

M Hyde