Labour Minister Resigns from Grenfell Safety Role Amid Controversy

A Labour minister in the housing department, Rushanara Ali, has stepped down from her role managing building safety and the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire. The decision came after criticism from Grenfell survivors following her participation in the Franco-British Colloque, a conference that connects senior politicians, civil servants, and business leaders.

The Sunday Times revealed that this conference has long been co-chaired by Pierre-André de Chalendar, the former chairman of Saint-Gobain, whose subsidiary Celotex has been heavily criticised in the Grenfell Inquiry’s Phase 2 report. The report condemned Celotex for launching a “dishonest scheme” to mislead its customers about the suitability of its insulation for use on high-rise buildings. This insulation was part of the cladding that contributed to the fire, which claimed 72 lives in June 2017.

In a statement, Ali, the MP for Bethnal Green and Stepney, acknowledged that “perception matters,” and said she would be relinquishing her building safety brief in the interest of maintaining trust with the Grenfell community. However, she confirmed she will continue in her broader role as Minister for Homelessness and Rough Sleeping.

“Trusted relationships between ministers and the Grenfell community are essential for this department,” Rushanara Ali said. “While I called for the French delegation of the Franco-British Colloque to cut ties with Saint-Gobain, I understand that perception matters.”

The survivors’ group, Grenfell United, continues to fight for justice and accountability for the tragedy. They remain critical of companies like Celotex, demanding stronger safety reforms.

The Grenfell tragedy remains one of the most significant events in modern UK history, with survivors and campaigners calling for urgent safety reforms. For further support and information on this, visit Grenfell United, a charity that continues to advocate for survivors and affected families.

For more insights on the latest government responses to Grenfell and building safety issues, see related articles on EyeOnLondon:

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