FIRE bosses have launched an investigation and are 'considering disciplinary action' after a firefighter sparked outrage with a derogatory statement about Down's Syndrome.

On the eve of World Down's Syndrome Day, which took place yesterday (Wednesday), Barrow and Walney firefighter Mike Wilkinson posted a Facebook status urging his friends and family to wear odd socks to raise awareness of the condition.

Young and old people across Barrow, Ulverston and Millom, including many of the firefighter's colleagues, proudly donned their odd socks in support of Mr Wilkinson's 11-year-old son Enzo-Ty, who has Down's Syndrome.

But Peter Clives, one of Mr Wilkinson's fire service colleagues, sparked widespread outrage when he commented on the Facebook post with a hugely offensive comment, which CN Group has chosen not to repeat.

Mr Wilkinson's wife Kerry confronted Mr Clives about his comment which was only removed 36 hours later.

"You should have known better and you have offended a lot of people who love and adore Enzo for all that he is," she replied to him.

A complaint was subsequently made to Cumbria County Council's Fire & Rescue Service.

John McVay, assistant chief fire officer, said an investigation had now been launched into the matter.

"These comments are completely unacceptable and do not reflect the values of Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service," he said.

"We consider this a disciplinary matter and are conducting an investigation.

"I would like to sincerely apologise on behalf of the service for the offence and distress these comments have caused and will be contacting the family directly in this regard.”

Mr Clives, a 49-year-old who has served in the Royal Navy, is understood to be in his final 12 months with the fire service before he is due to retire. He currently works from Ulverston Fire Station but has worked in Barrow and lives in Kendal.

The Fire Brigades Union's secretary for Cumbria, Eddie Burrows, was also shocked by the firefighter's comment.

"We are very committed to equality and we are very surprised if any firefighter made any comment like that," Mr Burrows said.

"If someone made a complaint to the union about it we would do an investigation and consider banning him from the union.

"We are representatives of the fire service and we should be held to account and our standards should be as high as possible."

Mr Clives has since removed the offensive comment but caused further offence with a label he used to refer to someone with Down's Syndrome which we have chosen not to repeat.

He apologised, saying: "My humour is sometimes a little close to the bone but it's just that: humour. Sorry for any offence caused to anyone. Joke removed wrong forum."

A spokeswoman for the Down's Syndrome Association said: "People with Down’s syndrome are all unique individuals and should be acknowledged as a person first and foremost. Insulting language and outdated attitudes and stereotypes about people with disabilities have no place in our society."

The complaint was not made by either Mr or Mrs Wilkinson.