A top Scots firefighter has been suspended from his £200,000 a year role amid bullying claims.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer Martin Blunden is understood to be the subject of a bullying probe as top brass look into a complaint that has been filed.
Blunden has been in the post since early 2019 as he replaced Alasdair Hay who had held the role from its establishment in 2013.
His social media accounts have been deactivated although they were used as recently as March 20.
Chair of the board, Dr Kirsty Darwent, said: "We take any allegation against staff members extremely seriously and have robust procedures in place to ensure complaints are fully investigated.
"Any complaint would be considered confidential while being progressed."
Blunden was tweeting from the account @FireScot_Chief as recently as March 20 this year, but the account now states that the profile does not exist.
The chief officer role is the most senior professional role at the SFRS and is intended to "provide strategic leadership direction" to the service.
Blunden joined the SFRS following a period of work in South Yorkshire where he was deputy chief officer.
He has also served in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "SFRS takes any allegation against staff members extremely seriously and such issues are entirely a matter for the SFRS Board."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
