Former Grenfell housing boss steps down after survivor backlash

Laura Johnson has left her 150,000 pound a year job as a senior council housing director at the Barnet Group, the Guardian reported. Her departure follows strong criticism from survivors and bereaved families of the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy. [1]

According to the Guardian, Johnson served as the director of housing at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea when the fire occurred. A public inquiry later criticised her for her role in budget cutting decisions made before the disaster. [1]

Grenfell Tower was a 24-storey residential block located in North Kensington, West London. A severe fire destroyed most of the building on 14 June 2017, resulting in the deaths of 72 people. [1][2]

Bereaved families and survivors had described the decision to appoint Johnson to the senior housing position as outrageous, the Guardian reported. [1]