UNIONS and Plaid Cymru called today for a nationwide culture review following the “shocking” appointment of south Wales’s new fire chief.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) questioned whether “due diligence” was done after it emerged Stuart Millington, who was brought in to head up the troubled service, was at the centre of bullying allegations himself.

The former assistant chief fire officer in north Wales will be taken to an employment tribunal in Mold and denies the allegations.

He was appointed last Friday after the Welsh government took over responsibility for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service following a damning report exposed a toxic culture in the service.

Regional FBU secretary Duncan Stewart-Ball told ITV today that “it’s shocking,” adding: “We’ve requested further details about the process. It does feel like lessons haven’t been learned in south Wales.

“There needs to be a culture review similar to what has happened in south Wales.

“You know the review into south Wales highlighted poor behaviours, unacceptable behaviours — to believe that they are confined to one service is wrong.”