Deputy Hampshire police and crime commissioner Luke Stubbs says sorry over calling for fewer women in fire service control room

A DEPUTY police and crime commissioner has publicly apologised after suggesting the percentage of women working in a Hampshire fire service department should be reduced.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service held an authority meeting in which a report on equality objectives outlined plans for hiring more women and people from minority ethnic groups, writes David George of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But deputy police and crime commissioner Luke Stubbs objected to the report, claiming white men are not being given equal opportunities.

He said: "Government – and I think this is wrong – is bringing in quota programmes across the public sector, but only where it benefits women and minorities.

"In areas where it’s mostly men it has to be 50/50, but in areas where it’s mostly women there’s no change.

"Things like the control room have 84% women and I would like assurance that steps are being taken to reduce that."

Fellow politicians were critical of Mr Stubbs, who is also a Conservative Portsmouth councillor, and women’s charities said his comments could deter women and minorities from working for the fire service.

This week he said sorry and his boss, police and crime commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones, said she supported the equality work of the fire service.

Cllr Stubbs said in a statement: "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.”

Mrs 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."

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has made it clear that equality quotas do not exist.

At the meeting, authority chair Cllr Rhydian Vaugha said: "Listening to Mr Stubbs’ opinion, you would think we’ve got our equality system all wrong, which I don’t believe at all."

Mr Stubbs 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."

Last year Mr Stubbs, who is also a Conservative councillor on Portsmouth City Council, told colleagues that gender pay gaps are a "fake narrative" and that he believes "men are the victims".

The Fawcett Society, which campaigns for gender equality, warned Mr Stubbs’ comments may hinder firefighter recruitment.

Chief executive 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% 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."