Talks to end dispute over new roles for firefighters

large-scale terror attacks was stopped at the same time as part of the dispute.

In January, firefighters were offered a pay rise of up to 20% if they agreed to take on the new responsibilities, but wrangling over the implementation of the changes has continued.

And the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed last night that negotiations remained ongoing – almost a year after the trials were halted.

A service spokesman said: “We have moved to harmonise existing terms and conditions, demonstrating how we can work effectively with the Fire Brigades Union in Scotland to deliver the right outcome for our firefighters.

“We are currently engaged in live discussions, through the National Joint Council (NJC), regards expanding the future firefighter role, enabling our dedicated crews to do so much more for the communities they serve.”

An FBU spokeswoman said: “Proposals for a Uk-wide deal for an increase in firefighters’ pay for new work are currently being discussed between the FBU and our employers through the NJC.

“Any such deal is heavily dependent upon investment and sustainable funding by the governments across the UK.

“The FBU in a recent meeting with Ash Denham, minister for community safety, and employer representatives on the NJC welcomed the broad commitment to provide funding.

“The meeting was a part of the ongoing dialogue in pursuit of a Uk-wide settlement.” Senator John Mccain’s former Vietnamese jailer has said he respected his former inmate and felt sad about his death.

He spoke as others in Vietnam paid their respects to the former US Navy pilot who was a prisoner of war, and was later instrumental in bringing the wartime foes together.

Mr Mccain’s Skyhawk dive bomber was shot down over Hanoi in 1967 and he was taken prisoner and held in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison for more than five years.

Former Colonel Tran Trong Duyet, who ran the prison at the time, said he met Mr Mccain many times while he was confined there.

“At that time I liked him personally for his toughness and strong stance,” he told the newspaper Vietnam News.

“Later on when he became a US senator, he and Senator John Kerry greatly contributed to promote Vietnam-us relations so I was very fond of him.

“When I learnt about his death early this morning, I feel very sad. I would like to send condolences to his family.

“I think it’s the same feeling for all Vietnamese people as he has greatly contributed to the development of Vietnamus relations.”

Mr Mccain died of brain cancer on Saturday aged 81 in his home state of Arizona.

Meanwhile, scores of people in Hanoi paid their respects to Mr Mccain at the US embassy and at a monument by Truc Bach Lake, where he landed after parachuting from his damaged plane.

US ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink said Mr Mccain helped normalise relations between the former enemies.

Picture: PA.