Minister Rushanara Ali has stepped down from her building safety role due to links with a firm involved in the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
- Ali regularly attended conferences co-chaired by an executive from Grenfell insulation supplier Celotex’s parent company.
- The Grenfell community and advocacy groups raised concerns over the appropriateness of Ali’s role given her connections.
- Parliamentary records show Ali received over £9,000 for attending these events, raising questions about potential conflicts.
- There is ongoing scrutiny over Celotex’s role in Grenfell, as their product was used controversially in the tower’s insulation.
Rushanara Ali, a minister at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, has resigned from her responsibilities in building safety. The decision follows revelations about her frequent attendance at the Franco-British Colloque, a policy forum co-chaired by Pierre-André de Chalendar, former CEO of Saint-Gobain. Saint-Gobain is the parent company of Celotex, whose insulation was used in Grenfell Tower.
The conferences, held over a span of 12 years, have brought Ali’s impartiality into question, given Celotex’s controversial involvement in the Grenfell incident. Her participation, noted on ten occasions, was seen as problematic by Grenfell United, who represent the families affected by the tragedy. These perceptions are critical given the need for trust between the government and the Grenfell community.
Records from Parliament’s register of interests indicate that Ali received donations amounting to £9,140 for travel and related expenses from the event organisers. This financial support further fuelled concerns regarding objectivity in her role overseeing building safety.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s phase two report highlighted severe misconduct by Celotex, accusing the company of manipulating test results and misrepresenting the suitability of their RS5000 insulation product. The company’s marketing falsely claimed compliance with safety standards, contributing to widespread outrage.
In light of these developments, Ali acknowledged the significance of public perception and chose to step aside to ensure the integrity of the building safety portfolio. While she continues with her other ministerial duties, her departure underscores the volatile landscape of building safety regulation post-Grenfell.
Minister Rushanara Ali’s step down reflects the delicate balance of public trust and governmental accountability.
