Ex-Gloucestershire fire chief who resigned last year over the inappropriate sale of a Land Rover is accused of undercharging Cheltenham racecourse in exchange for the use of a festival hospitality box
- Former fire chief Stewart Edgar and the racecourse denies any wrongdoing
- Racecourse says claims made by whistleblower on BBC report are wrong
- FOI request shows racecourse charged varying amounts during Edgar’s tenure
- When Mr Edgar was no longer in the role, the racecourse was charged £14,960
- This was around £10,000 pounds more than in 2018 when Edgar was in charge
- Edgar resigned from post last year over inappropriate sale of a Land Rover
A fire chief is accused of allegedly undercharging Cheltenham racecourse for fire support in return for festival hospitality.
Stewart Edgar and the racecourse have denied any wrongdoing.
Edgar resigned from his post as chief officer of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service last year over the sale of a Land Rover, which he undersold then later bought for himself. A police investigation into the incident is continuing.
Stewart Edgar (pictured) is accused of allegedly undercharging Cheltenham racecourse for fire support in return for festival hospitality. Both Edgar and the racecourse have denied any wrongdoing
A Freedom of Information request by the BBC revealed Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was charging varying amounts during the annual National Hunt festival while Edgar was chief officer.
Whistleblowers told the BBC Mr Edgar, who resigned last year, negotiated a cheaper rate for providing the service in return for the use of a hospitality box. The racecourse says claims made by whistleblowers are wrong.
In March 2015 the racecourse paid £10,950, in 2016 it paid £5,460, in 2017 it was not charged and in 2018 it paid £4,550.
The council said on each of these occasions the amount charged was ‘never sufficient to cover the cost of the crews attending’.
On one occasion the racecourse was not charged anything for support provided at the annual National Hunt festival.
A Freedom of Information request by the BBC revealed Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was charging varying amounts during the annual National Hunt festival while Edgar was chief officer. (Newmill, ridden by A.J. McNamara clears a Steeple during the Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase on the second day of The Annual National Hunt Festival held at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 14, 2007)
The council said it was a statutory duty for the fire service to work with race organisers ‘to reduce suffering or harm to animals and riders’ and they would provide around eight staff on each of the four days, working a 10-hour shift.
This year, when Mr Edgar was no longer in the role, the racecourse was charged £14,960, around £10,000 pounds more than in 2018.
In a statement Mr Edgar denied any wrongdoing in connection with the allegations, and he ‘does not accept acting improperly at any time’.
The racecourse said it had ‘not provided any contra hospitality in exchange for services from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue or any individual associated with the service’.
A spokesman added: ‘Any non-payment for services in 2017 will be because we have yet to be invoiced for payment.’
Edgar resigned from his post as chief officer of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service last year over the sale of a Land Rover, which he undersold then later bought for himself. A police investigation into the incident is continuing. (‘Defi Du Seuil’ ridden by English jockey Richard Johnson (L) leads the pack to win The JCB Triumph Hurdle Race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, south-west England, on March 17, 2017)
It comes as other allegations concerning Mr Edgar’s conduct while chief fire officer were highlighted in an internal audit, regarding the sale of a Land Rover.
The fire service is overseen by Gloucestershire County Council. It said the matter had been referred to the police.
Gloucestershire Constabulary said no investigation had begun because more information was required.