Director who oversaw Grenfell cost-cutting given senior council housing role
Summary
Laura Johnson, who was the housing director in Kensington and Chelsea during the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire and involved in cost-cutting decisions linked to safety failures, has been appointed as the permanent director of development and property at the Barnet Group. Survivors and relatives of Grenfell victims criticized this decision, especially because police investigations and potential charges related to the fire are still ongoing.Key Facts
- Laura Johnson was the housing director in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) during the Grenfell fire.
- Johnson pushed for cheaper contractors and materials that contributed to fire risks, including the use of combustible cladding.
- She delayed installing self-closing fire doors despite warnings from the London fire brigade.
- Johnson worked at the Barnet Group on an interim basis and was then permanently appointed with a salary of about £157,000 per year.
- Survivors and Grenfell United, the group representing bereaved families, criticized the appointment as disrespectful and called for reconsideration.
- The Metropolitan Police have identified 57 individuals and 20 companies they may charge for failures linked to the Grenfell fire, with decisions expected by 2027.
- Barnet Group said they ran a public recruitment process, considered the Grenfell inquiry findings, and judged Johnson the strongest and legally eligible candidate.
- The Barnet Group and council said they cannot comment on past employment matters and emphasized residents’ safety as a priority.
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