Firefighters have rapped Shadow Defence Secretary Bernard Jenkin for reportedly calling their union leaders a "bunch of idiots" and a "disgrace" to their country.

The North Essex MP was reacting to the problems he expected yesterday's 24-hour strike to cause the soldiers who had to provide fire cover as they prepared to fly out to the Gulf.

But at Dovercourt, firefighters at the Fronks Road station said residents had given them strong support during the action.

Firefighter Steve King said: "If Mr Jenkin took the trouble to learn the facts, he would come out with a more sensible comment."

Les Nicoll, 51, said that MPs had not been against giving themselves a large pay increase and added: "I'm on strike because I believe in what we are doing."

Published Wednesday, January 22, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette