A FIRE chief is being investigated by bosses over claims he lied about having a masters degree to get his ￡180,000-a-year job.

       Wayne Brown landed the top role last year after impressing West Midlands Fire Service with his advanced qualification — a requirement for the post.

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       West Midlands Fire Service Chief Wayne Brown is being investigated by bosses over claims he lied about having a masters degree to get his ￡180,000-a-year job

       But after concerns were raised by colleagues, London South Bank University confirmed it had no record of his Master of -Business Administration degree.

       Brown has since quietly removed it from his LinkedIn profile.

       He is also said to have claimed to have been a former Charlton Athletic pro footballer.

       It has since emerged he was only on a youth training scheme at the League One club.

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       An insider said: “Wayne is by no means popular.

       "He -disappeared on January 7 and nobody has heard from him.

       "This is a chief that is really prominent.

       “He’s seen on every platform across all stations all the time.

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       "Some of us are wearing second hand equipment and haven’t had a pay rise, but he turns up to work in a new Range Rover.”

       'FALSE REPRESENTATION'

       Brown served with the London Fire Brigade for 27 years before joining West -Midlands in 2019 as Deputy Chief Fire Officer.

       He was promoted last January.

       The service confirmed it is looking into his qualifications as part of a formal inquiry.

       If it is found he lied about his degree, it could amount to fraud by false representation.

       West Midlands Fire Service said: “We are aware of claims referencing our Chief Fire Officer.

       "Formal inquiries, in line with our Fire Authority’s constitution, are now ongoing.”

       What is fraud by false representation?

       According to the CPS, fraud by false representation is entirely focused on the conduct of the individual.

       It is the act of being dishonest and knowing that the representation was or might be untrue or misleading.

       A person is in breach if they intend, by making the representation, to make a gain for themselves or cause loss to another.