An ex-firefighter who was found buying guns and ammunition has attempted to sue his former workplace for unfair dismissal.

Tyrone Bahar, from Slough, worked for the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority and was dismissed from service in 2021.

It came after the National Crime Agency found Mr Bahar buying guns, ammunition and pepper spray over the internet.

The workplace was notified of the National Crime Agency's investigation on November 5, 2018, and shortly after Mr Bahar was arrested at Birmingham Airport on his return from a holiday in Jamaica after he was identified purchasing illicit items from Europe.

A haul of illegal items were found in his cars and at his home including a revolver, a forward venting blank firing pistol, eight spray canisters, two stun guns, 569 rounds of ammunition, a machete and an extendable baton.

At this point, Mr Bahar was suspended from work with full pay for 11 months, while the National Crime Agency continued its investigation.

In October 2019 Mr Bahar was due to appear in court, which sparked disciplinary proceedings at his workplace. The trial was later postponed until August 2020 when he admitted to buying firearms.

During the trial, he said he did not realise they were illegal and bought them as a result of depression.

Slough Observer:

Mr Bahar began working at Langly Fire Station on December 22, 2003, before rotating across other locations.

Nearly two decades later he was dismissed after he pleaded guilty to 12 charges including possession of handguns and of weapons for the discharge of a noxious liquid or gas, possession of stun guns, and possession of ammunition for firearms without a certificate.

Mr Bahar was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022.

He has since attempted to sue the fire authority for their decision to fire him, stating he was "unfairly dismissed" and seeks compensation for "alleged discrimination on the grounds of race and disability and harassment". He said their actions were "too severe".

However, it was found that the dismissal was a "reasonable response" as his behaviours were "not compatible with the behaviours and standards expected of an individual occupying the role of a firefighter whose duties include protecting the public to make the communities of Berkshire safer".

Mr Bahar claims he was subjected to discrimination and harassment at the workplace, including an incidence of racist abuse and racist material being put on his locker.

The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority did not admit that the claimant had been the subject of racial discrimination, either in respect of the incidents listed above or at all.

The employment tribunal was heard on September 11 to 14, 2023 with a judgement being given on October 24, 2023. Corresponding documents were made public on April 9, 2024.

A 251-page witness statement was supplied for consideration during the tribunal.

However, the tribunal found the claims of unfair dismissal were "not well founded and are dismissed".

The conclusion added that in incidences of unfair dismissal, claims should be made within three months.

Mr Bahar's request for reconsideration has been refused.