A PRESTON firefighter who claims he was subjected to homophobic abuse while stationed at Lancashire Fire and Rescue's training centre in Euxton has slammed an investigation into the complaints as 'a complete sham'.

Lee Forshaw, 24, of Bamber Bridge, Preston, has branded the "behind closed doors" inquiry a cover-up and is pressing for a full independent investigation into his case which, he claims, forced him to quit his post as a full-time firefighter after just one day.

He was so upset after receiving a copy of the confidential report yesterday (Wednesday) that he brought the document and these pictures exclusively to the Citizen to back his case.

Lee, who is currently a part-time firefighter at Bamber Bridge Fire Station, in Cuerden Way, and holds an administrative position at the brigade's C-Division station in Blackpool Road, Preston, said: "I feel there has been a cover-up and the investigating officer and fire service have fuelled that by allowing all the named personnel and witnesses to work alongside each other during the investigation period. "They had the time to collaborate stories."

He says that the detailed report contains several inaccuracies such as:

it implies that Lee has emotional difficulties;

it states that the investigation was carried out over five days when in fact, Lee claims, it was over a period of three weeks;

it states no witnesses are named in the formal complaint but Lee claims evidence from a divisional fire officer should have been considered.

He also says that one witness was asked to give a statement to investigators in the presence of one of his alleged tormentors.

But Lancashire Fire Authority chiefs says there is no evidence to support Lee's claims, following an independent equal opportunities investigation by the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade, appointed by the clerk to the fire authority.

In a statement, county councillor Bob Clark, chairman of the Lancashire Fire Authority, said: "The independent investigation of accusations made by Firefighter Lee Forshaw has been completed, and has found no evidence to support the accusations.

"The Lancashire Fire Authority is satisfied that the investigations were conducted in a proper and correct manner and is confident that no further action is necessary in respect of this matter."