By Deborah James And Jessica Shaughnessy, Daily Post
FIREFIGHTER and Liverpool Council leader Warren Bradley was yesterday caught up in a major political row after he tried to intervene to settle the Merseyside fire strike.
Cllr Bradley walked out with hundreds of his colleagues at 10am yesterday, having offered to take part in negotiations to resolve the dispute because he "owed it to the people of Liverpool".
But chief fire officer Tony McGuirk and Labour Fire Authority chairman Tony Newman said the Toxteth firefighter might demonstrate his commitment to the people of Liverpool better by not taking part in the strike.
Last night, it emerged fresh talks are due to take place tomorrow between union leader Les Skarratts and deputy fire chief Bill Evans in a bid to settle the dispute.
COUNCIL leader Warren Bradley last night defended his attempt to intervene in fire strike negotiations while taking part in the eight-day strike action.
Cllr Bradley, a firefighter at Toxteth fire station, said he was surprised at being lambasted by Merseyside's Fire Authority chairman Tony Newman after he offered to help with negotiations.
He said he had found himself in a difficult dilemma, but was obliged as a Fire Brigades' Union member to abide by the strike vote.
He said he and his colleagues felt they were pawns caught in the middle of negotiations, and, far from being overtly political, he was genuinely attempting to assist in a settlement.
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