A firefighter is claiming unfair dismissal after he was sacked following a disputed incident involving an alleged racist remark.

Mark Versluijs was a whole-time fireman based at Douglas fire station.

He was suspended and then dismissed following an incident in which a racist comment is alleged to have been made while he was on duty.

He denies any wrongdoing.

Mr Versluijs, of Strang, Braddan, has taken a case for unfair dismissal to the employment tribunal.

He is claiming unfair dismissal, automatic unfair dismissal, detriment and failure of the Fire and Rescue Service to provide a statement of terms and conditions.

It is understood that Mr Versluijs maintains that the remark made was not racist in content.

His tribunal claim against the island’s Fire and Rescue Service was submitted on March 12.

He is being represented by the Fire Brigade Union, by an officer based at its Region 5 office in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

The FBU declined to comment as it is an employment issue and a legal case is continuing.

We approached Mr Versluijs for a comment but he had not supplied one by the time we went to press.

Chief fire officer Kevin Groom told iomtoday: ’The fire service does not comment on individual staff issues.’

Mr Versuijs’s case is not the only employment issue currently involving Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service.

It is understood that another whole-time firefighter has been accused of reporting for duty while under the influence of drugs.

Iomtoday has also learned that a mechanic at Douglas fire station has been suspended after an audit of the workshop uncovered issues over safe working practices and record keeping.