Apart from making an apology, it appears that no action will be taken against Luke Stubbs, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, who recently came under fire for suggesting that the number of women working in Fire Service departments should be reduced.
The comments by Stubbs (who is also a councillor for Portsmouth City Council) were made at a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service meeting where a report on equality objectives – that outlined plans for a more inclusive fire service, hiring more women and people from minority ethnic groups – was being discussed.
Called out
Cllr Stubbs’s comments were called out by Fire Service members from around the country, as well as in the meeting, to which he responded,
“I can express whichever views I wish – these are my personal views and I think they are shared by the majority of the public.
“I’ve not seen any surveys, but that’s what I believe.”
Beavis: The PCC “will not stand for anything like this”
Conservative representative from Gosport, Cllr John Beavis MBE, had said last week,
“The police and crime commissioner, Donna Jones, will not stand for anything like this.
“He needs to answer for what he said.”
Stubbs: “I deplore all types of discrimination”
In the last week the Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has come under pressure to take action for her Deputy’s comments.
This morning (Wednesday) her office shared this comment from Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Luke Stubbs, said
“Over the last week I have reflected on the comments I made at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority meeting. I sincerely wish to apologise for any harm or offence caused by the comments I made.
“I understand my comments have caused offence to members of the Fire Authority, firefighters, women’s networks and others.
“This was never my intention. I deplore all types of discrimination.”
Olchawski: Comments “unhelpful and uninformed”
Following last week’s meeting, Chief executive of The Fawcett Society, Jemima Olchawski said,
“Luke Stubbs’s comments are unhelpful and uninformed – the data clearly shows us white men are definitely not being left behind.
“More than 90 per cent of firefighters in England are male and white, and it’s clear that the profession must recruit and retain both women and people from minority communities.”
Jones: “Equality for everyone is something that is within our reach”
Today, Donna Jones said,
“As the first woman to be elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and also the first women to be the Executive Leader of a city unitary council in Hampshire, I am committed to inspiring women and girls across all of our communities. Equality for everyone is something that is within our reach.
“I support the equality and diversity work being undertaken by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.
“I will do all I can to ensure that Hampshire Constabulary is a fair and equitable employer and equal opportunities are provided to women, as well as men.”
