The Suffolk Hyde Affair - Doc 288 Hertfordshire Firefighter Strike FBU Media Briefing

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12th July 1999

During the morning Sub Officer received a telephone call at Lowestoft Fire Station. The caller was Divisional Officer Graham Smith who wanted to discuss matters privileged to the defence team of Firefighter Hyde ahead of the hearing planned for 20th July 1999.

In particular, DO Smith was very blunt and keen to discuss the line of questioning that Sub Officer Wigglesworth intended to pursue. The latter politely advised DO Smith that he could not engage in the discussion of matters privileged solely to the defence.

Sub Officer Wigglesworth also suggested that DO Smith’s behaviour was inappropriate and abuse of authority. The matters he wished to pursue were beyond his remit and solely of interest and authority for the nominated presiding officer. At that point DO Smith abruptly, and with the usual and typical brand of name-calling ended the conversation.

For Sub Officer Wigglesworth this was not the first experience of DO Smith seeking to obtain information privileged to the defence in a Suffolk Fire Service discipline case. Much the same had been tried out by DO Smith in the Firefighter Faiers hearing some time earlier.