A WHISTLEBLOWER has accused Gloucestershire County Council’s £130,000-a-year chief executive of abusing his position and declaring a politically motivated ‘air war’ against the local police and crime commissioner.

According to a leaked email, Peter Bungard the authority’s chief executive has been running a campaign to prevent Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl taking over control of the county’s fire and rescue service.

Mr Surl, a retired police superintendent, says if the allegations against Mr Bungard are true it is ‘truly shocking.’

“It is totally unacceptable,” he said. “This is not an ‘air war’ – it is far more sinister, deceitful and divisive.”

The row has erupted because Mr Surl is investigating whether the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service should come under his governance rather than continue to be run by the county council.

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