The government has told the main builder of the disastrous Grenfell Tower refurbishment to stop bidding for public contracts, in an abrupt U-turn just days after it sparked fury among survivors by naming the firm on a list of recommended contractors for high-rise housing.
The housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, said late on Wednesday that Rydon should no longer bid for projects until the truth about what caused the loss of 72 lives was established.
The government had named the Sussex-based construction company on a list of 12 firms recommended to public bodies for works on high rise residential buildings in the south of England earlier this week, a move that bereaved and survivors said added “insult to injury”.
The Cabinet Office said that only companies charged with an offence can be excluded from bidding for work, and that EU procurement rules meant it could not legally preclude Rydon.
Jenrick effectively executed the U-turn when he responded on Twitter to an earlier statement by Grenfell United, which represents the bereaved and survivors, attacking the original decision to recommend the firm.
Jenrick said: “I understand why survivors and bereaved do not want to see public contracts awarded to the main contractor for the Grenfell Tower refurb until we have the full results of the inquiry. The contractor should not bid for further work until we know the truth.”
Rydon was the main contractor on the £10m project completed in 2016, part which involved cladding to tower in panels which the public inquiry into the disaster concluded were the main cause of the fire spread. The inquiry also found that the works breached building regulations.
The Metropolitan police are running a complex criminal investigation into the construction, refurbishment and management of the tower and the emergency response, and is investigating possible corporate manslaughter, individual gross negligence manslaughter and health and safety offences.
Sandra Ruiz, whose 12-year old neice Jessica Urbano Ramirez died in the fire, welcomed Janrick’s move. She tweeted: “Thank you! Remember be brave to make the change. Ethics before profits.”
Rydon reported a £16.6m post-tax profit in 2018, more than double the previous year, when the Grenfell disaster happened.
The Guardian revealed earlier on Wednesday that the mayor of London had banned Rydon from participating in a similar framework agreement for housebuilders in London.
Rydon had qualified as one of 30 companies recommended for use by public bodies across the capital, but Sadiq Khan issued a mayoral direction ordering the company’s suspension until the public inquiry into the disaster “has reported on the extent to which any Rydon group companies or employee contributed to causing or exacerbating the Grenfell Tower fire”. That is not expected until at least late 2021.
Rydon has been contacted for comment.
