Fergus Ewing, the SNP MSP, said: "Firefighters are entitled to their private views. Since when was handing out leaflets at a gay event considered a firefighter's core duty?"
The Fire Brigades Union is supporting the firefighters in their disciplinary action.
Calum Irving, director of the gay rights group Stonewall Scotland, said: "If they had refused to engage with people because of their ethnicity or faith, they would face disciplinary action. Why should lesbian and gay Scots be treated as second-class citizens by public servants?"
A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said: "A number of firefighters are the subject of an investigation concerning the delivery of fire-safety advice at the recent Pride Scotia parade."
A group of firefighters are facing disciplinary action after refusing to man a fire-safety stall at a gay pride event in Glasgow. Ten firefighters disobeyed orders by refusing to attend and hand out leaflets. It is understood some were embarrassed about attending the event in uniform, while others objected on grounds of conscience. Fergus Ewing, the SNP MSP, said: "Firefighters are entitled to their private views. Since when was handing out leaflets at a gay event considered a firefighter's core duty?"
The Fire Brigades Union is supporting the firefighters in their disciplinary action. Calum Irving, director of the gay rights group Stonewall Scotland, said: "If they had refused to engage with people because of their ethnicity or faith, they would face disciplinary action. Why should lesbian and gay Scots be treated as second-class citizens by public servants?"
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