THE Chief Fire Officer for Essex has been sacked following a two-year investigation into misconduct that has cost the fire service an estimated £1million plus.

It comes after the Echo revealed last Friday that an expert advisory panel appointed to deal with several issues had identified the suspension of David Johnson as the biggest barrier facing the service.

Mr Johnson has now been dismissed with immediate effect by the Essex County Fire and Rescue service who have yet to shed light on the reason behind the decision.

Essex Fire Authority chairman Anthony Hedley said: “With immediate effect, David Johnson has been dismissed as Chief Fire Officer for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

“This dismissal follows a robust process in compliance with the law in relation to statutory officers.”

Mr Johnson was granted sick leave in June 2014 before he was suspended in April 2015 to allow for an investigation into unspecified allegations.

He has been on full pay throughout the entirety of his absence, receiving an annual salary of £224,954.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Essex Fire Authority and Mr Johnson have consistently refused to explain the circumstances.

A confidential Essex Fire Authority report leaked to the BBC showed Mr Johnson had faced ten allegations but no evidence of “misconduct or gross misconduct” was found. The cost of his absence has been estimated at more than £1million, taking into account wages, the cost of the investigation, and legal bills, according to the Essex Fire Brigade Union.

Essex branch secretary Alan Chinn-Shaw has condemned the entire process and believes the fire service has a long way to go to win back the public’s trust.

He said: “I think it shows a real contempt for the public that they would spend that much of the taxpayers’ money.

“It’s shocking that it was allowed to carry on for so long and cost so much money.

“This is at a time when resources are being cut left, right and centre.

“If you lose the trust and confidence of the public it takes a lot to get it back. They’ve really tarnished their reputation with the way this has been handled.”

Mr Johnson told the BBC he now planned to take legal action against the authority.