Bosses told demonstrating firefighters this week: "We won't budge."

The blunt message followed Wednesday's demonstration over a firefighter who stood for election for the far-right British National Party.

Fire authority chairman, Michael Cartwright, refused to sack Ian Richard Johnson, who was one of 10 BNP candidates in this year's European elections in the Southeast.

A row erupted over the Brockenhurst retained firefighter after residents and some brigade staff claimed that Mr Johnson's political beliefs would affect his work.

Defying calls from union leaders and 25 campaigners outside a fire authority meeting at the civic offices in Leigh Road, Eastleigh, Mr Cartwright said: "We do recognise the right of an individual to freedom of speech and to be a member of a lawful and legitimate party."

Another member, Liz Barron, added: "We feel it's a pity that the Fire Brigades Union has focused on this issue so vigorously."

Two months ago, the Association of Chief Police Officers announced that police who joined the BNP could be sacked.

The refusal of top bosses to back down sparked anger among union leaders, who branded the decision "deplorable". Dean Mills, executive FBU member for Southern England, said: "The brigade says its hands are tied by a legality, but it is totally ignoring the moral issue."