Fire bosses in Essex have dismissed their chief officer after suspending him on full pay for two years.

In a statement released on the Essex County Fire and Rescue service’s website, Anthony Hedley, chairman of the Essex Fire Authority, revealed the service had decided to sack David Johnson from his position.

A chief fire officer for a number of years, Mr Johnson was suspended from his role in April 2015 after being on sick leave since April 2014.

The BBC put in a Freedom of Information request in summer 2016 which revealed £201,000 has been spent on Mr Johnson’s suspension between April 20, 2015 and February 29, 2016.

These figures included legal fees of £116,000 and £97,000 spent on staff allowances for covering the chief fire officer’s responsibilities.

Announcing his dismissal today, Mr Hedley said: “With immediate effect, today (Tuesday 25 April) David Johnson has been dismissed as Chief Fire Officer for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

“This dismissal follows a robust process in compliance with the law in relation to statutory officers.”