The London Assembly today rejected a Liberal Democrat motion calling for Nazir Afzal OBE to return and review progress on cultural reform within the London Fire Brigade (LFB), after Labor and Conservative members of the Assembly voted against a new review.
The motion (attached), moved by Hina Bokhari OBE AM and seconded by Gareth Roberts AM, urges the Mayor of London to ask Nazir Afzal to reassess whether the Brigade has made real progress since its 2022 report exposed institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia.
The motion also highlighted serious concerns about accountability and transparency within the brigade and linked to the recent BBC Panorama investigation into Charing Cross police station, which revealed continued misogyny, racism and homophobia within the Metropolitan Police Service, despite the withdrawal of special measures from the Met. MP Bokhari warned that London’s fire brigade was at risk of repeating the same mistakes, having also been removed from special oversight despite clear evidence of ongoing cultural failings.
The motion asked the mayor to:
Invite Nazir Afzal OBE to return to assess progress through interviews, focus groups and data analysis;
Explore new independent structures to restore confidence in complaints and grievance processes;
Funding earmarked for cultural reform and the provision of mental health care;
Publish quarterly data on the performance of the Professional Standards Unit; And
Work with the Home Office to fast-track the creation of a fire and rescue college and a national ban list for those dismissed for misconduct.
Hina Bokhari OBE AM, leader of the Liberal Democrat group in the London Assembly, said:
Three years after Nazir Afzal exposed institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia within the London Fire Brigade, no dismissals have been confirmed for the abuse. This is not progress; it is a total failure of accountability. Media attention has shifted, but after hearing directly from firefighters at an Assembly inquiry, nothing reassured me that the toxic culture has changed. It’s time for Nazir Afzal to come back and check.
Nazir Afzal OBE has already indicated he is ready to return to assess progress, saying:
As the author of the 2022 report, if requested by the Mayor and the London Assembly, I would welcome the opportunity to return to assess progress on the recommendations I have made. Real, lasting change requires continued scrutiny, openness, and a willingness to listen to those most affected. A focused program of interviews, focus groups and data analysis would provide a clear, evidence-based understanding of what has improved, what has not and why.
Regarding the refusal of other parties to support this revision, MP Bokhari commented:
It is frankly shameful that Labor and the Conservatives treat the problems of racism and misogyny within the London Fire Brigade with such complacency. Why are they afraid to examine the evidence through a formal assessment of progress by Nazir Afzal. Will it take another drama or for Panorama to enter the LFB for this Assembly to take the problem seriously and act?
The motion follows extensive evidence presented to the Assembly Fire Committee, including first-hand testimony from firefighters describing a lack of accountability, poor behavior and ongoing cultural issues within the brigade.
