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Calls for Eric Pickles to Resign Amid Grenfell Inquiry Fallout
Eric Pickles, a former housing secretary and current Tory peer, is under pressure to step down from the House of Lords and his position as a government ethics adviser following revelations from the Grenfell inquiry. The inquiry criticized Pickles for his department’s inaction regarding fire safety regulations after a 2013 coroner’s recommendation.
Emma Dent Coad, who served as the Member of Parliament for Kensington during the Grenfell fire in June 2017 that resulted in 72 fatalities, stated that Pickles should “have the grace to resign.” Coad’s sentiments are echoed by Matt Wrack, the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, who believes Pickles should be stripped of his peerage due to his alleged failures in safeguarding public safety.
The inquiry highlighted that Pickles and his department did not respond adequately to the coroner’s advice to enhance fire safety measures after a similar tragedy at Lakanal House in 2009, where six individuals lost their lives. The report indicated that this recommendation was not prioritized, and critical safety updates were still absent at the time of the Grenfell Tower disaster.
In response to the inquiry’s findings, Pickles maintained his position, asserting that he had alerted Bob Kerslake, the then permanent secretary who oversaw the response to the Lakanal fire. He remarked on the discrepancy between Kerslake’s commitment to public duty and the alleged lack of urgency from mid-level officials within the department.
Furthermore, the report criticized Pickles for his enthusiastic endorsement of the Cameron government’s policy aimed at reducing regulations, which adversely impacted fire safety protocols. Although Pickles claimed during cross-examination that the deregulation drive did not encompass building regulations, the inquiry found his assertions contradicted by his officials and available documents.
After the report’s release, Pickles attempted to clarify that his government did not actively pursue the deregulation of building codes. He emphasized actions taken to separate responsibilities for housing and building regulations to mitigate the risks posed by rapid housing expansion.
Det Coad, now serving as an independent councillor, criticized Pickles’ demeanor during the inquiry, citing a lack of respect for the process. She expressed disbelief that someone exhibiting such “contempt” could still hold positions of authority, especially in a role that requires integrity.
Pickles has insisted that he was never made aware of dangerous cladding issues during his tenure. However, Wrack countered that as the secretary of state for communities, Pickles had numerous opportunities to prevent the Grenfell tragedy. He accused Pickles of prioritizing deregulation that favored private firms over residents’ safety, ultimately leading to loss of life.
In his social media remarks following the inquiry’s findings, Pickles expressed support for the call to enhance government transparency and coordination. He extended his gratitude to the Inquiry Team for their thorough investigation and expressed his sympathies for the victims and survivors of the Grenfell disaster.
Post-inquiry, Pickles offered an apology for mistakenly stating that 96 individuals perished in the blaze, correcting himself when informed that the actual number was 72. Meanwhile, Dent Coad, an active advocate for Grenfell survivors, has encountered political obstacles since her loss of the parliamentary seat in 2019 and subsequent denial of candidacy for Labour in 2022.
Source
www.theguardian.com