FIVE ambulance service staff are reportedly being investigated for organising and attending an illegal party in Trowbridge in breach of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown rules in June last year.

The Wiltshire Times understands they involve some of the five employees suspended by South Western Ambulance Service bosses probing allegations of bullying, harassment and intimidation.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “We are aware of the alleged matter and will be conducting proportionate enquiries in relation to it.

“It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.”

SWAST also declined to comment on the latest allegations, saying: “For reasons of confidentiality, we cannot comment on individual staffing matters, nor would we confirm whether or not there were ongoing investigations of any kind.”

The Wiltshire Times has been told that around a dozen people attended the birthday party of an operations officer at a private house on June 24 last year.

They allegedly included an officer in uniform and on duty in breach of the ‘Rule of Six’ restrictions in place at the time.

Photographs from the event were posted on a Facebook social media site and then quickly removed after the person realised the event was in breach of the existing lockdown rules and could be potentially incriminating.

Our informant, who does not wish to be named, said: “While people were restricted from seeing their loved ones, they were partying behind our backs. This is despicable behaviour.

“Apparently, this was also put on their social media account for others to see.

“This is a massive disrespect to the Ambulance Service and to us as the public. If Boris is not allowed to get away with it, I’m as sure they shouldn’t.”

The five people – who include two operations officers and three paramedics - were suspended by SWAST at the beginning of March following complaints from other staff members about their behaviour.

Jane Whichello, the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Deputy County Commander for Wiltshire, confirmed the suspensions in March in an email to staff.

It is understood that SWAST is investigating a culture of bullying, harassment and intimidation at the Hilperton Road station, which has been nick-named the ’Mafia Station’ by other members of the service.

The whistleblower said: “It has been absolutely unbelievable. It’s been absolutely horrific. It has been awful, people are frightened.

“They have finally taken action and suspended a huge amount of staff, including management, pending investigations."