Claude Wehrle, the former head of technical sales support at cladding manufacturer Arconic, has denied having any role in the Grenfell Tower fire disaster, despite heavy criticism from the Grenfell inquiry. Wehrle told BBC News that the tragic deaths of 72 people were deeply upsetting but insisted he was not responsible for decisions regarding the flammable Reynobond PE cladding used on the building.
The inquiry’s final report accused Wehrle of “deliberate dishonesty” to sell the cladding, including withholding information about its fire safety. Wehrle had sent a confidential email in 2010 warning that the Reynobond PE cladding would fail fire safety tests if used in box shapes, which were common in construction. However, he also told a customer that the cladding would be safer in this form.
Wehrle, who has since left Arconic and now lives in France where he volunteers as a firefighter, claimed he was not responsible for these decisions and that there were others in the company who were better suited to make such calls. He expressed sympathy for the Grenfell victims but maintained that the allegations against him are a matter of justice.
In the wake of the inquiry, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has criticized the fact that over 2,000 buildings in the UK still need their cladding removed. She promised to pressure developers to address this issue, and the government is considering legal changes to enforce action. No 10 Downing Street has stated there are no contracts with companies involved in the Grenfell disaster, but there will be a review of any ongoing subcontracting roles in government projects.
This information, as reported by BBC News, highlights the ongoing efforts to address the Grenfell fire’s impact and ensure safety improvements in building practices.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8n7m8v9rqo