Ex-director who oversaw Grenfell cost-cutting leaves council housing role after backlash

A housing director linked to cost-cutting measures before the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire has resigned from a £150,000-a-year council role amid fierce backlash from survivors and bereaved families. Critics condemned her appointment to a senior position with Barnet Group, accusing the move of rewarding leadership tied to the tragedy. The inquiry into the disaster previously highlighted her involvement in financial decisions that preceded the fatal blaze. The resignation follows sustained pressure from those directly affected by the disaster.

Survivors had criticised ‘outrageous’ appointment of Laura Johnson to £150,000 job with Barnet GroupA housing director who oversaw cost cutting at Grenfell Tower before the fatal fire has left a £150,000-a-year senior council housing role after a backlash from bereaved families and survivors.Laura Johnson was the director of housing at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) at the time of the 2017 Grenfell fire which killed 72 people, and was criticised in the subsequent inquiry for her role in budget-cutting decisions prior to the blaze. Continue reading...