Controversial Donation Sparks Outrage as Kemi Badenoch’s Leadership Bid Links to Grenfell Tragedy

Kemi Badenoch, the current shadow housing secretary and Tory leadership contender, is facing backlash following revelations that one of her campaign funders, Quentin Marshall, was involved in oversight of Grenfell Tower. Survivors and critics are voicing their disgust at Marshall’s £5,000 donation, highlighting his history of dismissing resident concerns about the tower’s refurbishment before the tragic fire that claimed 72 lives.

Marshall served as chair of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s housing and property scrutiny committee from 2010 to 2016, a period during which significant refurbishment of Grenfell Tower was undertaken. Testimony from the public inquiry revealed that the committee failed to address residents’ concerns adequately, allowing serious safety issues to persist. The inquiry concluded that trust between the council and residents deteriorated during the refurbishment, yet Marshall’s committee did not rigorously investigate these breakdowns.

Ed Daffarn, a resident of Grenfell Tower, expressed his outrage: “I am appalled that a councillor implicated in the Grenfell Tower tragedy would support a candidate promoting deregulation.” Daffarn’s concerns are amplified by Badenoch’s advocacy for reducing regulatory burdens, a stance that many argue echoes past policies contributing to the disaster.

As business secretary, Badenoch made headlines with initiatives aimed at slashing regulations for businesses, prioritizing economic growth over safety measures. Critics are drawing parallels between her policies and the “bonfire of red tape” that, under David Cameron’s government, led to weakened fire safety regulations.

The Grenfell inquiry revealed that critical fire safety measures were ignored due to deregulation efforts. Daffarn’s warning resonates: “The Conservatives have learned nothing from Grenfell, promoting policies that prioritize profits over people’s safety.

In emails disclosed to the inquiry, Marshall dismissed residents’ complaints as “wild unsubstantiated claims” and downplayed concerns raised by the London Fire Brigade about fire safety measures in council blocks. Under questioning, he later admitted that his committee “lacked a little humanity,” apologizing for not better addressing the residents’ fears.

Badenoch’s campaign has attracted additional controversial donors, including Neil Record, a former chair of the Institute of Economic Affairs, known for its calls for deregulation. As the Tory leadership race heats up, Badenoch is currently the bookmakers’ favorite, with results of the party membership ballot expected on November 2.

Marshall’s spokesperson claimed that his donation reflects a commitment to Badenoch’s vision for housing policy, while reiterating his respect for the Grenfell inquiry’s findings. Badenoch has opted not to comment on the situation, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea stated that political donations are a matter for individual councillors.

As the shadow housing secretary continues her bid for leadership, the intersection of political donations and past failures raises pressing questions about accountability and the prioritization of public safety over political ambition. The Grenfell tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting community voices and regulatory oversight in housing policy.