Lord Pickles Blames Civil Servants for Grenfell Fire Safety Failures
Former minister Lord Pickles accuses civil servants of failing to act on fire warnings before the Grenfell tragedy. His claims contradict the inquiry's findings, sparking calls for his resignation.
In a recent development regarding the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Lord Pickles has pointed fingers at "middle-ranking" civil servants for their alleged failure to address fire safety concerns in the years leading up to the disaster. The former secretary of state for communities and local government made these statements on September 6, 2024, just two days after the release of the Grenfell Inquiry's final report.
Lord Pickles expressed disappointment in the civil servants' perceived lack of public duty, stating that their attitude "shocked and appalled" him. This comes in response to criticism he faced in the inquiry report, which contradicted his earlier testimony.
The Grenfell Tower fire, which occurred on June 14, 2017, claimed 72 lives and injured over 70 others. It was one of the deadliest structural fires in UK history, highlighting significant failures in building regulations and fire safety measures.
The inquiry, chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, found that the department's deregulation policy between 2010 and 2015 created an environment where officials felt unable to propose regulatory interventions or escalate concerns. This directly contradicts Lord Pickles's claim that deregulation did not apply to building safety standards.
One crucial point of contention is the department's failure to act on a coroner's 2013 recommendation to tighten fire safety regulations following the Lakanal House fire in 2009, which resulted in six fatalities. Lord Pickles maintains that he discussed this recommendation with the then-permanent secretary, Bob Kerslake.
In his defense, Lord Pickles stated, "In practice, the deregulation of building regulations was not pursued vigorously." He highlighted his efforts to separate ministerial responsibilities and ensure Liberal Democrat oversight of building regulations as measures to maintain safety standards.
"During the inquiry, evidence emerged that middle-ranking officials did not share Bob's deep-seated sense of public duty. Their attitude shocked and appalled me. I feel they let down Bob, the government, and, more importantly, the public."
The former minister's comments have sparked calls for his resignation from the House of Lords. Emma Dent Coad, an independent councillor in Kensington, and the Fire Brigades Union have both urged Lord Pickles to step down from his position.
Despite the controversy, Lord Pickles expressed support for the inquiry's recommendations, particularly emphasizing the need for greater transparency and coordination within the government.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry, launched on September 14, 2017, has been a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic fire. Its findings have significant implications for building regulations, fire safety measures, and governmental responsibility in the UK.
As the debate continues, the focus remains on improving fire safety standards and preventing similar tragedies in the future. The inquiry's recommendations are expected to lead to substantial changes in building regulations and fire safety protocols across the United Kingdom.
