AN ex-fire service boss has lost his age discrimination case against his former employer.

David Dalziel, 62, claimed he missed out on leading Scotland's new national fire and rescue service because of his age.

The veteran fireman, who was with Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, decided to sue the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service after he lost out on senior positions when the eight regional services merged on April 1 last year. He took his former employer to an employment tribunal over claims of age discrimination and unfair dismissal at the end of last year.

Yesterday, it emerged that he had lost his case. He now has 42 days to appeal the tribunal decision.

A spokesman for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "We acknowledge the decision of the tribunal and are very pleased the employment tribunal accepted the case put forward by SFRS."

Mr Dalziel claimed to have missed out on leading the national service despite being recommended for the job and claimed to have lost five senior management team positions to younger colleagues with less experience. However, the tribunal judges ruled that Mr Dalziel was not selected because of how he scored in an online psychometric test and how he dealt with interview questions. Three other candidates scored better during the interview process. Their ruling said that his treatment was "nothing whatsoever" to do with his age.

They also dismissed the complaint of unfair dismissal, ruling that no breach of duty and trust had been established.