The Suffolk Hyde Affair - Doc 182 Lowestoft Fireman

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The Fire Brigades Union
No. 10 Region

Reply to:

Lowestoft Fire station
PO Box 54
Lowestoft
NR32 2QA

17th May 1999


ACFO Seager,

Thank you for your letter dated 13th May 1999, and the enclosures you return.

I can fully understand the personal concern which you voice. Indeed, it would be novel for the presiding officer to trawl through a mountain of mail before proceedings took place. This is especially so when such matters could and should have been administered afore.

However, if I might once more refer you to your letter 21st April 1999 and the last paragraph,

‘I WILL NOT ENTER INTO ANY FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE IN THE MATTER PRIOR TO THE HEARING.’

I feel this is unreasonable and begs the question of to whom should case evidence be submitted.

As to matters themselves I believe many disputes exist which in both economic and equity terms are best resolved prior to the hearing. As such further correspondence is vital.

For instance we have still to be informed who has made the complaint against Ff Hyde. Also what is the relevance of certain documents served 13th April 1999. A classic example of this being the undated, and unsigned note for file which outlines irrelevant events on 29th January 1999.

We would like to assist you to ensure any outstanding matters are resolved prior to the hearing. Quite apart from ensuring the defence case is not prejudiced it also makes economic sense by providing exact focus to what is or is not relevant. In striving to achieve this I ask you to provide me with a reasonable level of correspondence. This is I think no more than a reasonable request.

I fully appreciate correspondence is time consuming affair, but at the same time it is a necessity to ensure natural justice is served.

I note you make reference to Miss Davies as dealing with the matter. If you lack the capability would you prefer her to deal with the clarifications I seek?

Yours faithfully


A Wigglesworth BSc, MBA, G.I.Fire.E.