THE future of a part-time Ilkley fireman still hangs in the balance after an appeal against his dismissal for fighting.

Paul Chapman, 24, was sacked for fighting after an investigation by West Yorkshire Fire Service into alleged misconduct at Ilkley Fire Station in Little Lane.

Three other firefighters were suspended when the investigation, which included a probe into an allegation of theft, began in September last year.

Mr Chapman, of Valley Drive, told the Gazette that two charges of dismissal had been overturned at an appeal hearing at the headquarters of the West Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority in Birkenshaw, Bradford.

But he added that at the outcome of the hearing he had been asked to resign and was now waiting for the official notice so he could consider legal proceedings against the decision.

"I have been asked to resign but I have told them I am not signing any papers. I am going to try and get re-instated as a fireman," said Mr Chapman yesterday.

A spokesman for the authority refused to discuss Mr Champman's case because of the possibility of further proceedings.

He said that the disciplinary hearings involving three other Ilkley firefighters were due to take place over the next couple of weeks.

He said: "The disciplinary hearings are scheduled to finish this month and we'll have to wait and see whether or not there will be any appeals."

The inquiry into alleged misconduct at the fire station was completed at the end of last year and is thought to have included interviews with all 19 retained firefighters.

In September fire service officials asked the police to look into a number of allegations which, apart from the allegation of theft, were later dismissed, according to a police spokesman. So far no-one has been charged with any offence.

Mr Chapman told the Gazette that he was dismissed for a 'scuffle' in June at the fire station and was determined to get his job back, even if it meant taking his case to court.

He said: "I am a lot happier than I was and feel a bit of

justice has been done and that they have actually listened to my side of the story."

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