A housing director who oversaw cost-cutting measures at Grenfell Tower before the fatal fire has stepped down from a £150,000-a-year senior council housing position following sustained pressure from bereaved families and survivors.
Laura Johnson held the position of director of housing at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) when the 2017 Grenfell fire claimed 72 lives. The subsequent inquiry criticised her involvement in budget-reduction decisions that preceded the disaster. According to the inquiry's findings, Johnson exercised decisive influence in replacing the original refurbishment contractor after it stated the work would cost £1.2 million more than the allocated budget. This decision ultimately led to the substitution of fire-resistant metal cladding with combustible plastic-filled panels to reduce expenses.
In August, Johnson was appointed director of development and property at the Barnet Group, which oversees 13,000 council homes across the borough, at a salary of £157,078. Bereaved families and survivors immediately condemned the appointment as "outrageous and disrespectful."
Following the backlash, the Barnet Group confirmed in a letter to Joe Powell, the Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater where Grenfell Tower was located, that Johnson was "no longer employed by The Barnet Group."
What did the Barnet Group say?
Eamon McGoldrick, chair of the board, acknowledged in his letter the profound impact of the Grenfell Tower tragedy on bereaved families, survivors, residents and the wider community. He stated:
We fully recognise the depth of feeling surrounding the Grenfell Tower tragedy and its continuing impact on bereaved families, survivors, residents and the wider community. We also fully acknowledge legitimate public interest concerning governance of senior appointments.
McGoldrick explained that he was bound by confidentiality obligations to employees and could not disclose specific details regarding Johnson's departure. The exact circumstances that prompted her removal from the position remain unclear.
When the appointment was first announced, a Barnet Group spokesperson had defended the decision, stating Johnson was the "strongest candidate" among those in a competitive recruitment process, citing her "professional experience, subsequent performance, references, qualifications and overall suitability for the role."
What have politicians said?
Powell responded to Johnson's departure by stating that individuals criticised by the inquiry should not continue working in housing roles, particularly while criminal investigations remain active. He said:
It's totally inappropriate for any individual criticised by the inquiry to continue to work in housing, particularly while criminal investigations are ongoing. It's right that Laura Johnson is no longer in such a position. The Grenfell Tower inquiry was clear about the failings of the RBKC and senior individuals involved in the management of their housing, including the tower.
What was the broader context of fire-safety failures?
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry's final report documented "chronic and sustained" fire-safety failures at the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation and a "culture of concealment" in its management. Beyond the cladding substitution, the inquiry identified additional critical deficiencies. Missing or broken fire-door self-closers were found to have facilitated smoke spread through the building, hampering residents' ability to escape and obstructing firefighters' rescue operations.
What is the status of criminal investigations?
The Metropolitan Police has submitted its final investigation file to the Crown Prosecution Service, seeking charges against 54 individuals and 20 companies and organisations in connection with the Grenfell fire. The Crown Prosecution Service has indicated that charging decisions will be reached before the 10th anniversary of the disaster on 14 June 2027.
Key Facts:
- Laura Johnson was director of housing at RBKC during the 2017 Grenfell fire, which killed 72 people
- The inquiry found she played a decisive role in replacing contractors to stay within budget, leading to the use of combustible cladding
- She was appointed to a £157,078 role at Barnet Group in August but has now left the position
- The Metropolitan Police has referred 54 individuals and 20 organisations to prosecutors for potential charges
- Charging decisions are expected before 14 June 2027
