A sacked fire-fighter has denied allegations that a woman was raped at Ilkley station.

Retained firefighter Paul Chapman says there is no truth of rumours of misconduct, and says morale has been damaged by the claims.

He said he had been dismissed because of alleged fighting and was not in any way involved in allegations of sexual misconduct.

It has been alleged that a woman was raped by part-time firefighters at the station. The fire service and police are investigating the claims.

Mr Chapman has been dismissed pending an appeal as an internal investigation by fire chiefs into allegations of misbehaviour at the station in Little Lane gets under way.

He said he was dismissed by the fire service for "a scuffle at Ilkley fire station in June this year". Four other fire-fighters have also been suspended.

But he says that any allegations of sexual misconduct on the behalf of firemen are false and that the investigation was started as a result of "vicious rumours" in the town.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Mr Chapman said: "The whole thing started as rumour and gossip and there's absolutely no truth in the allegations at all. I know all the lads at Ilkley and no-one's got an ounce of bad blood in them.

"Our morale has all gone to pot and all I can say is that this last year has been one of the worst of my life."

Mr Chapman claims that rumours have been circulated in Ilkley for the past six months and it was these which prompted the inquiry. He refused to name the source of the gossip.

The T&A reported on Monday how all 19 part-time firemen had been interviewed as part of the investigation, started by the West Yorkshire Fire Service within the last month.

The case has also been referred to the police, who are now looking into the allegations. But a police spokesman said that they had not received any specific complaints relating to the station and that the enquiry was in its early stages.

The Fire Service has confirmed that police were investigating allegations against certain personnel at Ilkley and that an inquiry was also being carried out under its disciplinary regulations.

It is understood that the inquiry will reach a conclusion by the end of next week. A spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire Service said: "At the moment, one fire-fighter has been sacked and four others suspended. The investigation so far has not been the result of any rape allegation. That will be dealt with by the police."

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