London Fire Brigade has launched an independent external review of the culture of the organisation, following the death of firefighter Jaden Francois-Esprit last August.

The 21-year-old took his own life, and his family said at the time they feared he was being bullied because of his race and was often singled out due to his ethnicity.

London Fire Brigade Commissioner Andy Roe said: “I believe that working on a fire station is one of the most rewarding jobs in the country. However, we need to do better at supporting our firefighters and celebrating the fact that they come from every walk of life, reflecting the vibrant city we serve. Our internal investigation into Jaden’s death, and the inquest, unearthed tough questions about how we train young firefighters and introduce them to station life.

“There is a significant programme of work in this review. I firmly believe that it will result in a better experience for firefighters in London and a better Brigade for the Londoners we proudly serve.”