Cladding manufacturer to give evidence at Grenfell inquiry
COMPANY MAKES U-TURN ON DECISION AFTER PRESSURE HAD BEEN MOUNTING
A FIRM responsible for manufacturing the flammable cladding panels on Grenfell Tower will now give evidence at the public inquiry.
Cladding firm Arconic initially refused to give evidence but has now U-turned on this decision.
Claude Schmidt, president of the multinational firm, “has now agreed to give oral evidence to the inquiry”, according to a letter sent to core participants by the inquiry on Wednesday (January 27).
Pressure has been mounting on Arconic to give evidence at the public inquiry.
Before Christmas, Grenfell United drove an electronic billboard outside of the French Embassy in Knightsbridge urging the French government to tell the employees to give evidence.
On the same day, North Kensington
residents also held a memorial to the victims of Grenfell outside of Downing Street.
Moyra Samuels, a leading Grenfell campaigner, said people are now expecting Arconic to come and explain themselves.
“It’s obvious that protest does work,” she said.
“Visibility works in terms of putting pressure. It’s not enough to do things and hope the government will rescue them. In the words of Frederick Douglas, power concedes nothing without a demand.
“We hope that their conscience has drawn them to come and speak rather than diplomatic pressure behind the scenes.”
In a statement on the development, Grenfell United called for all Arconic employees to come forward and that the “truth must come out.”
Ms Samuels said: “I think it’s very significant that they’re coming because the question of certification of cladding and its flammability is a key issue in terms of truth and accountability. It speaks to the very real situation many residents find themselves in now. It speaks to the relationship between the construction industry, building industry and government regulations. Their evidence is very significant in exposing the poor nature of regulations in Britain.”
A spokesperson from the inquiry confirmed that “Claude Schmidt has now agreed to attend to give oral evidence to the inquiry.” The inquiry will resume on February 8.
Arconic said in a statement: “Arconic continues to fully co-operate with the authorities and the inquiry at all times. All three witnesses who are represented by the company’s counsel are prepared to provide evidence including AAPSAS’s corporate representative and managing director Claude Schmidt. We cannot comment on the individuals who are being advised by separate legal counsel.”