The London Assembly has 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 Labour and Conservative Assembly Members voted against renewed scrutiny.
The motion (attached), proposed by Hina Bokhari OBE AM and seconded by Gareth Roberts AM, urged the Mayor of London to ask Nazir Afzal to reassess whether the Brigade has made real progress since his 2022 report exposed institutional racism, misogyny, and homophobia.
The motion also highlighted serious concerns about accountability and transparency within the Brigade and drew the link to the recent BBC Panorama investigation into Charing Cross Police Station, which exposed continued misogyny, racism, and homophobia in the Metropolitan Police Service despite the Met being removed from special measures. Assembly Member Bokhari warned that the London Fire Brigade risks repeating the same mistakes, having also been taken out of special monitoring despite clear evidence of ongoing cultural failings.
The motion called on the Mayor to:
Invite Nazir Afzal OBE to return to assess progress through interviews, focus groups, and data analysis;
Explore new, independent structures to rebuild trust in complaints and grievance processes;
Ring-fence funding for cultural reform and mental health provision;
Publish quarterly data on Professional Standards Unit performance; and
Work with the Home Office to accelerate the creation of a College of Fire and Rescue and a national barred list for those dismissed for misconduct.
Hina Bokhari OBE AM, Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrat Group, said:
“Three years after Nazir Afzal exposed institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia at the London Fire Brigade, there has not been a single confirmed dismissal for these abuses. That is not progress; it is a total failure of accountability. The media spotlight has moved on, but after hearing directly from firefighters during an Assembly investigation, there has been nothing to reassure me that the toxic culture has changed. It’s time for Nazir Afzal to return and check.”
Nazir Afzal OBE has already indicated that he is willing to return to assess progress, saying:
“As the author of the 2022 report, if the Mayor and London Assembly asked, I would welcome the opportunity to return to assess progress on the recommendations I set out. Real and lasting change demands ongoing scrutiny, openness, and a willingness to listen to those most affected. A targeted programme of interviews, focus groups, and data analysis would allow for a clear, evidence-based understanding of what has improved, what has not, and why.”
On the refusal of other parties to support this review, Assembly Member Bokhari commented:
“It’s frankly shameful that Labour and the Conservatives are treating the problems of racism and misogyny in the London Fire Brigade with such complacency. Why are they afraid to look at the evidence through a formal progress review from Nazir Afzal. Will it take another tragedy or for Panorama to come into the LFB before this Assembly will treat the problem seriously and take action?
The motion follows mounting evidence presented to the Assembly’s Fire Committee, including direct testimony from firefighters describing a lack of accountability, poor behaviour, and continued cultural problems within the Brigade.
