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Kensington and Chelsea council chief forced to quit amid outrage over Grenfell Tower response

Protesters hold up placards about the Grenfell Tower tragedy as they gather in Parliament Square after marching through central London - AFP
Protesters hold up placards about the Grenfell Tower tragedy as they gather in Parliament Square after marching through central London - AFP

Kensington and Chelsea council's chief executive has resigned following public backlash to the borough's response to the Grenfell Tower fire.

Nicholas Holgate said he had wished to remain in the post but Sajid Javid, the communities and local government secretary, had "required the leader of the council to seek my resignation".

His resignation follows in the wake of a tide of criticism of the council for its response in the aftermath of the tragedy as well as its track record on social housing issues.

Mr Holgate described last week's fire at the North Kensington block, in which at least 79 people died, as "heart-breaking".

Grenfell Fire Prevention
Grenfell Fire Prevention

He said: “Serving the families so desperately affected by the heartbreaking tragedy at Grenfell Tower remains the highest priority of the council.

"Despite my wish to have continued, in very challenging circumstances, to lead on the executive responsibilities of the council, I have decided that it is better to step down from my role, once an appropriate successor has been appointed."

He added: “Success in our efforts requires leadership across London that sustains the confidence and support of central government. There is a huge amount still to do for the victims of the fire, requiring the full attention of this council and many others. If I stayed in post, my presence would be a distraction.”

Grenfell protesters storm Kensington Town Hall, in pictures
Grenfell protesters storm Kensington Town Hall, in pictures

Survivors of the fire have criticised the time it has taken the authorities to inform them of the whereabouts of their missing relatives.

The council's leader, Nicholas Paget-Brown, said: “It is with great regret that I have today accepted Nicholas Holgate’s resignation. 

"Like everyone else, the council has been grief-stricken by the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire and has sought to provide the greatest level of support we can to victims. That is a huge challenge and Nicholas has led from the front in seeking to do this. However, the council will now need to work in a new way with different partners to take this forward.”

Donations to Families of Grenfell Tower
Donations to Families of Grenfell Tower

It has been suggested that John Barradell, the chief executive of the City Of London council, may take over the role from Mr Holgate and oversee the local authority's recovery operation.

Prime Minister Theresa May has also faced criticism after she failed to meet survivors in the immediate aftermath.

She has apologised for the government's failures and on Wednesday she told MPs: "People were left without belongings, without roofs over their heads, without even basic information about what had happened, what they should do and where they could seek help."

It comes amid revelations that some of the 79 people who died in the tower blaze might have been poisoned by cyanide after insulation released highly toxic gas when it burned.