A prominent backer of Kemi Badenoch’s Tory leadership campaign, Quentin Marshall, has come under scrutiny for his role in the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Marshall, a former councilor who oversaw housing in Kensington and Chelsea, donated £5,000 to Badenoch’s bid to lead the opposition, raising concerns among survivors of the tragic fire.
Marshall, who chaired the housing and property scrutiny committee of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) from 2010 to 2016, played a key role in the planning and execution of Grenfell Tower’s controversial refurbishment.
The fire, which claimed 72 lives in June 2017, has been the subject of an extensive public inquiry, where it was revealed that his committee failed to investigate deteriorating relations between the council and residents during the renovation process.
Ed Daffarn, a survivor from the 16th floor of Grenfell Tower, expressed his outrage over Marshall’s support for Badenoch, who is known for advocating deregulation.
“I am appalled that a councilor implicated in the Grenfell Tower tragedy with the loss of 72 lives would support a candidate that is promoting deregulation. I worry that the Conservatives have learned nothing from Grenfell and are promoting policies that put profits before people.”
Ed Daffarn
Deregulation Debate Fuels Concerns
Badenoch, currently shadow housing secretary, has previously voiced her opposition to what she described as “burdensome” regulations. While serving as business secretary before Labour’s electoral win, she made it clear that she sought to reduce red tape for businesses.
This stance is particularly contentious given the findings of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, which highlighted how deregulation under David Cameron’s government contributed to the tragedy.
The inquiry revealed that fire safety regulations were not tightened during Cameron’s premiership, leaving dangerous gaps that may have prevented the fire.
The inquiry noted that the push to eliminate regulations led to safety concerns being “ignored, delayed, or disregarded” by the department responsible for building safety.
Marshall’s scrutiny committee, tasked with overseeing housing services, fire safety measures, and social housing regeneration, was criticized for its “lack of curiosity” regarding safety concerns.
In one instance, the London Fire Brigade raised alarms about the absence of self-closing devices on fire doors in council-owned blocks. Despite this, the committee did not investigate further.
Marshall himself admitted under questioning during the inquiry in May 2021 that his committee had “lacked a little humanity” and acknowledged that they could have done better. “I would like to apologize to the people involved for that,” he said, while also conceding that his committee’s oversight could have been more thorough.
Leadership Race Under a Cloud
Marshall’s donation comes as Badenoch and former housing secretary Robert Jenrick battle it out in the final round of the Conservative leadership contest.
Badenoch, now the bookmakers’ favorite, has drawn financial backing from figures like Neil Record, former chair of the right-wing think tank Institute of Economic Affairs, which has consistently called for greater deregulation.
The controversy surrounding Marshall’s donation has further amplified concerns about Badenoch’s deregulatory policies, particularly in light of the Grenfell disaster.
Emails disclosed during the inquiry show that Marshall had previously dismissed some residents’ complaints about the refurbishment as “grossly exaggerated.” In one email, Marshall described the council’s investment in the tower as “a gift from the state” and accused residents of launching an “unpleasant campaign” against the landlord.
Despite his past remarks, a spokesperson for Marshall defended his donation, stating that it “reflects his support for Kemi Badenoch’s vision and policies.”
Marshall’s involvement in Badenoch’s campaign has raised questions about whether the Conservative Party has fully learned the lessons from Grenfell, as the party faces accusations of continuing to prioritize deregulation over public safety.
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