UNION chiefs are calling for a Hampshire firefighter to be sacked after it was revealed he is standing as a candidate for the far right British National Party in today's European elections.

They are backing demands for action from shocked colleagues of retained leading firefighter Ian Richard Johnson, pictured left, after they discovered he is one of ten BNP candidates standing in the south east.

Members of the Fire Brigade Union will meet bosses this afternoon to see what steps can taken to ease the concerns which have caused friction between colleagues at the station where the leading firefighter has worked for 30 years.

Last night the 53-year-old candidate defended his decision to stand and claimed it would not affect his work.

Hampshire Fire Brigades Union executive member Roy Goring said: "The policies of the BNP are definitely against the policies of both Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and the FBU.

"We are upset that a member of the fire service is standing as a candidate for the BNP.

"We have alerted Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to the situation and are hoping they will take action."

Mr Johnson is one of only two leading firefighters based at Brockenhurst fire station in the New Forest, which has a total crew of 12.

Colleagues are said to be concerned about Mr Johnson's extreme political views.

One source at the fire station, who declined to be named, said: "We don't do politics at work but there are a lot of guys who are not at all happy with the situation.

"There is definite unrest in the camp - people are worried."

Another colleague said: "Most people are unhappy about it, particularly given his position of authority. The guy has to go."

The Daily Echo understands one of the firefighters based at Brock-enhurst has an Asian partner.

Last night the firefighter concerned declined to comment about the situation.

Electrical contracting company boss Mr Johnson, of Fathers Field, Brockenhurst, defended his decision to stand as a BNP candidate and said it would not affect his work.

"I certainly would not want to go against any of the fire service views. But I am entitled to vote for whoever I choose. I don't know what all the fuss is about. The BNP are not the bad apple that has been painted by everyone else."

Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokesman Mike Gates agreed Mr Johnson's politics were irrelevant to his ability to do his job.

"Everyone is signed up to a code of fairness and dignity, and as far as I am aware, he has done nothing which infringes on that code or anything illegal."