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Grenfell fire: Sadiq Khan bans contractor pending inquiry verdict Grenfell fire: Sadiq Khan bans contractor pending inquiry verdict
(10 days later)
Mayor suspends Rydon from list of firms recommended to carry out London housing workMayor suspends Rydon from list of firms recommended to carry out London housing work
The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has banned the main contractor for the Grenfell Tower refurbishment from carrying out housing works through a city-wide procurement agreement until the public inquiry rules on whether it contributed to the fire that claimed 72 lives.The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has banned the main contractor for the Grenfell Tower refurbishment from carrying out housing works through a city-wide procurement agreement until the public inquiry rules on whether it contributed to the fire that claimed 72 lives.
The move emerged on Wednesday after the government angered survivors by including Rydon Construction Ltd (RCL) on a list of 12 companies suitable for carrying out works on public high-rise housing in the south of England.The move emerged on Wednesday after the government angered survivors by including Rydon Construction Ltd (RCL) on a list of 12 companies suitable for carrying out works on public high-rise housing in the south of England.
The Cabinet Office said it had no choice but to include Rydon under EU rules and was abiding by UK law, but the bereaved and survivors accused ministers of “hiding behind red tape” after Khan’s decision.The Cabinet Office said it had no choice but to include Rydon under EU rules and was abiding by UK law, but the bereaved and survivors accused ministers of “hiding behind red tape” after Khan’s decision.
The Labour mayor signed an order in 2018 asserting it was not in the public interest to allow the company to bid for works 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”.The Labour mayor signed an order in 2018 asserting it was not in the public interest to allow the company to bid for works 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”.
Rydon qualified to be one of 30 companies recommended to build residential-led developments, but Khan quietly suspended it from the list, according to documents seen by the Guardian.Rydon qualified to be one of 30 companies recommended to build residential-led developments, but Khan quietly suspended it from the list, according to documents seen by the Guardian.
City Hall appears to have been willing to take a risk that its decision would be challenged by Rydon, because in common with central government, it is bound by EU procurement rules. City Hall appears to have been willing to take a risk that its decision would be challenged by Rydon, because, in common with central government, it is bound by EU procurement rules.
Rydon was the main contractor on the £10m Grenfell refurbishment, which wrapped the tower in combustible cladding. A public inquiry concluded last week that this was the main cause of the spread of the fire. It also found the works were in breach of building regulations.Rydon was the main contractor on the £10m Grenfell refurbishment, which wrapped the tower in combustible cladding. A public inquiry concluded last week that this was the main cause of the spread of the fire. It also found the works were in breach of building regulations.
The company is among construction businesses facing intense scrutiny during the second phase of the public inquiry into the lead-up to the disaster, which will begin 18 months of hearings in late January.The company is among construction businesses facing intense scrutiny during the second phase of the public inquiry into the lead-up to the disaster, which will begin 18 months of hearings in late January.
The Metropolitan police are also running a complex criminal investigation into the construction, refurbishment and management of the tower, and the emergency response. The Met is investigating corporate manslaughter, individual gross negligence manslaughter and health and safety offences.The Metropolitan police are also running a complex criminal investigation into the construction, refurbishment and management of the tower, and the emergency response. The Met is investigating corporate manslaughter, individual gross negligence manslaughter and health and safety offences.
In 2018, Rydon reported a £16.6m post-tax profit, more than double the previous year, when the Grenfell disaster happened.In 2018, Rydon reported a £16.6m post-tax profit, more than double the previous year, when the Grenfell disaster happened.
Grenfell United, which represents survivors and bereaved families, said: “The government needs to stop hiding behind red tape, apply common sense and take Rydon off this list.Grenfell United, which represents survivors and bereaved families, said: “The government needs to stop hiding behind red tape, apply common sense and take Rydon off this list.
“If the mayor can do it to keep Londoners safe, the prime minister should do it for the rest of the country. Rydon should not be allowed to work on high-rise blocks until the investigations into how the refurbishment of Grenfell went so badly wrong is complete.”“If the mayor can do it to keep Londoners safe, the prime minister should do it for the rest of the country. Rydon should not be allowed to work on high-rise blocks until the investigations into how the refurbishment of Grenfell went so badly wrong is complete.”
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “Being on a framework does not guarantee a company will secure government contracts and does not constitute an endorsement of them. Under existing EU rules, we are not legally allowed to preclude Rydon Construction from bidding for government contracts.”A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “Being on a framework does not guarantee a company will secure government contracts and does not constitute an endorsement of them. Under existing EU rules, we are not legally allowed to preclude Rydon Construction from bidding for government contracts.”
A spokesperson for the mayor said: “The GLA [Greater London Authority] considers that it is in the public interest not to allow RCL to bid for contracts under its panel until the Grenfell Tower inquiry has reported on the extent to which any Rydon group companies or employee contributed to causing or exacerbating the Grenfell Tower fire.”A spokesperson for the mayor said: “The GLA [Greater London Authority] considers that it is in the public interest not to allow RCL to bid for contracts under its panel until the Grenfell Tower inquiry has reported on the extent to which any Rydon group companies or employee contributed to causing or exacerbating the Grenfell Tower fire.”
Rydon declined to comment.Rydon declined to comment.