By Alexander Britton
The head of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has been placed on "precautionary suspension".
Gary Thompson joined the service in 1994 as a part-time firefighter and became chief in 2016.
The reasons for the suspension have not been disclosed.
A spokesman for the service said: "Gary Thompson has been placed on precautionary suspension with effect from 10 December.
"Precautionary suspension is a neutral action in line with NIFRS policies and procedures.
"NIFRS is not in a position to make any further comment at this time."
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