Firefighters union leader accuses media of intrusion

THE leader of firefighters involved in a dispute over new contracts has complained of media intrusion into his private life and appealed for his family to be left alone.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said his former wife and student son had been "pestered" by reporters, with one "rooting about" in dustbins.

His ex-wife, who he separated from 20 years ago, was visited by a female journalist at her home and asked to talk about Mr Wrack.

"My former wife shut the door on her. Another reporter came to my student son's flat when he was not there, asked the neighbours about him, showed them a picture of my son and rooted about in the dustbins.

"This is happening because I am the general secretary of a trade union involved in a high-profile strike. I appeal to reporters to leave my family alone."

Wrack has warned that the relationship between firefighters and their managers has been damaged in the wake of the dispute and could take decades to put right.

Fresh talks aimed at averting strikes by firefighters in London will be held today. The Fire Brigades Union said it will meet with the capital's brigade in an attempt to avoid an eight-hour strike tomorrow and a two-day strike from 5 November which will include Bonfire Night.

Wrack said stories claiming that contract staff covering for strikers last Saturday had been subjected to bullying and harassment were "totally untrue" and he flatly denied reports that the union had demanded pay rises of 10,000.