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A Grenfell Tower resident who campaigned for safety was described as an “antagonist” by the city landlord, the investigation into the 2017 disaster has heard.
Paul Dunkerton, a project manager for the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organization, told colleagues in a March 2013 email that Ed Daffarn, who later escaped from the burning tower, was one of the two “main antagonists at Lancaster West Estate regarding Grenfell Tower. “
Daffarn, who later predicted that “a major tower fire … is the most likely reason that those in power in the KCTMO will be discovered and brought to justice,” had asked the TMO to update residents on planning progress. applications for remodeling.
“Maybe my choice of words was not very good,” Dunkerton told the investigation. “But they were more vocal than other residents and tenants of the tower.”
The investigation previously heard that an executive at Rydon, the prime contractor, described Daffarn and other residents as “rebellious” when they questioned the quality of the works and complained that they were “persistent and aggressive.”
Evidence of tension and mistrust between the residents and the landlord comes amid a continuing vacancy on the investigative panel of an individual with experience in housing and community relations. The post has been empty since January, to the anger of the survivors and the bereaved.
Last week, the Cabinet Office said the selection process was at a very advanced stage and the new panel member would be announced “very soon.” But evidence is lacking this week from the landlord, who on Monday highlighted concerns about the veracity of its consultation process.
The investigation saw a draft of a newsletter to be sent to residents about the remodel that included figures on how many people said they wanted new windows that they could clean themselves. Most said yes, but the final brochure sent said, “You don’t have a clear preference on whether residents should clean the windows or the TMO.”
A newsletter article summarizing the responses to a resident questionnaire on siding reported: “There is no clear opinion on the color or type of siding.”
But the investigation heard that no one had been asked about the type of coating, only its color. The panels filled with combustible plastic that were eventually used were the main cause of the fire’s spread, the investigation concluded.
When asked to explain the discrepancy, Dunkerton said the draft bulletin was sent to his manager, Mark Anderson, and TMO’s communication team, and that could explain it.
The investigation continues.
