A senior Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service officer escaped punishment for sexual harassment and instead retired on full pension, an ITV investigation has alleged.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Byron Standen, the service’s third in command, retired without sanction in 2021 despite an independent investigation finding him guilty of gross misconduct, according to an ITV whistleblower.

The anonymous whistleblower worked for the service and gave evidence in Mr Standen’s misconduct case.

He claims the allegations made against Mr Standen included “sexual harassment, being a sexual predator, grooming and coercion”.

This newspaper previously reported how the fire officer was suspended from duty in November 2021, and later retired in June 2022.

But when asked to confirm the outcome of the disciplinary procedure, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue refused to reveal any further information.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Former deputy chief fire officer Byron Standen (left) handing out an award

A complaint was made by a Byron Standen about the reporting of this story to the Independent Press Standards Organisation, which was thrown out by the regulator.

The service has now confirmed that Mr Standen was found guilty of gross misconduct by an independent investigation but retired before he could be dismissed.

A spokesperson told ITV: “We can confirm that, following an independent investigation, on May 22, 2022, an individual was found by a disciplinary committee on the balance of probabilities to have committed gross misconduct.

"The sanction for such gross misconduct was summary dismissal. 

“To the frustration and disappointment of the Service, the individual had earlier already given notice of his intention to retire, and, given the length and complexities of the investigation he was able to retire before the sanction could take effect.”

However, the service has refused to confirm which allegations he was found guilty of.

Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell said: “I cannot comment about any particular cases or any particular individuals for reasons of confidentiality… I simply cannot do that.”

These new allegations follow on from claims that Wiltshire and Dorset firefighters sexually harassed their colleagues and took photographs of dead bodies at car crashes, but Mr Ansell denied that the service has a culture of misogyny.

He added: “I don't accept that we have a problem, I think that we have had some challenging times and we have addressed issues."

ITV’s whistleblower insisted that female firefighters have worked under a culture of fear.

He said: “I was surprised that he didn't accept there was a problem, because the organisation has known for at least a couple of years there have been problems with the culture, especially with regards to matters of a sexual nature.

"There is a culture of fear of speaking out, verging on bullying.

“Do I think that individuals in the senior leadership team are misogynists or sexual predators - apart from this case? No. But as a team, they've allowed an environment to fester.

“I don't accept the bad apple analogy. Apples can go bad because there's something inherently wrong with them or because they're in an environment that makes them go bad. So there need to be questions about why these apples are going bad." 

Responding to these latest allegations, the service told ITV: “It is of vital importance, and indeed in the public interest, to demonstrate to the public that we treat sexual misconduct allegations with the utmost seriousness.” 

But solicitor Nazir Afzal, who recently conducted an investigation into misconduct at London Fire Brigade has called for Mr Ansell to resign from his post.

He said: “The fact that he would not acknowledge, or did not acknowledge, that there was a toxic, misogynist culture within the service troubles me and worries me.

“It will undoubtedly worry the workforce and citizens of Dorset and Wiltshire. I can't understand how he feels, unless he's got a very good explanation, that he's fit to carry out the job of Chief Fire Officer." 

The White Ribbon charity, which recognises organisations that offer a safe refuge for women fleeing domestic violence, is currently reviewing the service’s accreditation.

Mr Standen has not responded to ITV’s request for comment.