Minister loses Grenfell brief after complaint from survivors

The annual policy conference, which involves politicians, civil servants and businesses from Britain and France, was co-chaired for more than a decade by Pierre-André de Chalendar, the former chair of Saint-Gobain. 

He was in charge of the French manufacturing firm at the time of the fire.

Celotex made RS5000, the majority of the combustible insulation used behind the cladding panels on the walls of Grenfell Tower.

The Phase 2 report from the inquiry found that Celotex had “rigged” an official fire safety test on a system containing its product, by strategically placing fire-resisting boards around the thermocouples that monitor temperature and determine the pass/fail criteria.

The firm then deliberately hid that it had done this in reports and marketing material, and obtained certificates that said the product could be used on high rises.

Celotex was said to have “embarked on a dishonest scheme to mislead its customers and the wider market” to break into the market for insulation on high-rise buildings.

In a statement, Ms Ali said: “Trusted relationships between ministers and the Grenfell community are essential for this department.

“Before I became a minister, I called for the French delegation of the Franco-British Colloque to cut ties with Saint-Gobain. 

“But I understand that perception matters and I have therefore concluded that the building safety portfolio would be best transferred to another minister.

“Our goals of making buildings safe and preventing another tragedy continue to be very important issues for me, and the deputy prime minister and the rest of the ministerial team have my full support in delivering on this work.”

The Grenfell Tower fire killed 72 people. 

The inquiry concluded in September that “systematic dishonesty” by product manufacturers was a “very significant reason” Grenfell Tower was clad in such dangerous materials.