A FIREFIGHTER claims he became the victim of a bullying campaign after his colleagues discovered he had blown the whistle on an alleged fraud at Horwich Fire Station.

Vincent Carroll, of Dixon Street, Horwich, said he only spoke out about an alleged fraud involving crews making hoax calls to increase their wages after being assured of total discretion by investigating fire brigade officers.

However, many of his colleagues knew he had made the allegations and he claims he was then subjected to a campaign of hate.

Mr Carroll quit the fire service last August, but has now launched a claim against Greater Manchester Fire Service for constructive dismissal claiming he had to leave because of racist and sexual verbal abuse from his colleagues.

Police carried out an 18-month inquiry and 12 firefighters were arrested, but the Crown Prosecution Service did not prosecute.

However, following an internal investigation, Mr Carroll, who became a part-time firefighter in July 1991, and driver Tony Critchley, faced a disciplinary charge of falsehood and Sub Officer Malcolm Pye faced a charge of corruption and malpractice.

Mr Pye was found guilty and sacked, Mr Critchley was cleared and Mr Carroll resigned before the disciplinary hearing.

Greater Manchester County Fire Service Divisional Officer Alan Woodward, who was supervisory officer at the Moor Lane fire station in Bolton when Mr Carroll made his initial complaints about victimisation, told the industrial tribunal that he had he advised his superiors to investigate further. Despite dismissing some of the allegations, he suggested a claim of a serious sexual assault by a fellow officer on Mr Carroll did need further investigation as the alleged attacker was on sick leave and had refused to be questioned.

Mr Woodward claimed he had no idea how so many firefighters at the Horwich station knew that Mr Carroll had made allegations about false fire calls for extra money and said: "I am well aware of confidentiality and have upheld that 100 per cent."

However, Nicholas Siddall, on behalf of Mr Carroll, suggested Mr Woodward had backtracked on his promise to remain discreet.

Mr Siddall said: "This was a breach of trust and confidence on your part."

Mr Woodward, who was asked to make a preliminary investigation into Mr Carroll's complaints, admitted it seemed odd that no further action was taken by fire brigade chiefs following his findings.

Greater Manchester County Fire Service Divisional Officer Paul Atherton was asked to carry out a further preliminary investigation following the findings of Mr Woodward, but could not complete this after the police launched their own inquiry.

He found verbal abuse was prevalent at Horwich Fire Station, but did not consider Mr Carroll to suffer more than any of his colleagues.

Mr Atherton remained unconvinced by the claims of the alleged sexual assault in 1992 and said: "Why didn't Mr Carroll make more of a fuss at the time and report it then?"

Mr Carroll had earlier told the tribunal that he often joined in the many pranks at the Horwich station, but he had been offended after being accused of being a homosexual, he started to receive hoax calls at home, his tyres were slashed and his fire tunic was doused in lavender oil and the words "Vinnie Carroll is a homosexual" were written on the back of it.

He has alleged that his complaints were not dealt with properly and that the fire service repeatedly delayed his disciplinary hearing without reason.

The hearing in Manchester has been adjourned until December 17.