Rescuers resign in leader protest

The scene at the time of the search for the missing McTaggarts

Coastguard rescue team volunteers in the Western Isles have resigned in protest at the sacking of their leader.

The walkout means Ness has been stood down as a cliff rescue team because there are not the minimum members to carry out such an operation.

Murdo Morrison was sacked in June, just hours after he had assisted in a search for a missing father and son.

The coastguard said he was being investigated on health and safety issues prior the incident.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the retained firefighter had contravened rules on a number of occasions and had to be disciplined.

It said the gap left by Ness was covered by nearby teams and a search and rescue helicopter was available if needed.

We believe something else is going on which we haven't got to the bottom of John Hebditch Former deputy station officer

Mr Morrison helped form the Ness volunteer rescue team in the north of Lewis 24 years ago.

One of his last involvements with it was assisting in the search for Joe McTaggart, 60, and his 12-year-old son Daniel, who perished in a canoeing accident near their home in Arnol on Lewis.

Mr Morrison's dismissal has prompted colleagues to resign.

John Hebditch, deputy station officer at Ness, is one of them. He said those who had resigned believed Mr Morrison had not been dealt with fairly.

He said: "As a team we've got over 100 years experience between us and it is not something you give up lightly."

Mr Hebditch said he and others believed the reason for Mr Morrison's sacking was not about health and safety.

He said: "We believe something else is going on which we haven't got to the bottom of."