Grenfell: Minister tells cladding execs to ‘step up to the plate’

Building safety minister Stephen Greenhalgh has urged executives of cladding firm Arconic, who claim they are banned by French law from appearing in front of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, to “step up to the plate”.

Greenhalgh’s comment, made on social network Twitter, came
after reports that the Inquiry would “empty chair” key witnesses who failed to
appear.

Three witnesses who are either present of former employees
of Arconic, which made the rainscreen cladding panels used on Grenfell Tower,
argue that the 1968 French Blocking Statute prevents them from giving evidence
at a tribunal.

Claude Wehrle, a former employee of the business, was called
to give evidence after he wrote emails warning that the cladding panels were
dangerous. Gwenaëlle Derrendinger, a present employee, and Peter Froelich, a
former employee are also reported to be resisting the Inquiry.

Commenting on the news, Greenhalgh said: “Time for these
Arconic executives to step up to the plate and appear before the Grenfell Tower
Inquiry, rather than hide behind the 1968 French Blocking Statute.”