HOUSING Secretary Robert Jenrick has said the main contractor of the Grenfell Tower refurbishment should not bid for public sector work until the truth about the devastating fire which claimed the lives of 72 people is known.

Mr Jenrick was responding after angry survivors and campaigners condemned news that the East Sussex-based Rydon construction company was among 12 firms approved for high-rise accommodation works in the south of England.

Grenfell United, a group which represents the bereaved, survivors and the community of Grenfell Tower block in North Kensington, London, tweeted: “To add insult to injury Rydon, the main contractor for #Grenfell, has been officially recommended for building high-rise housing by Government.”

Mr Jenrick said: “I understand why survivors and bereaved do not want to see public contracts awarded to the main contractor for the Grenfell Tower refurb until we have the full results of the inquiry.

“The contractor should not bid for further work until we know the truth.”

The firm was involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower, in which panels were added, before it was consumed by the June 2017 fire.

Last week’s phase one report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which is examining the circumstances leading up to the fire, found the cladding on the high-rise block did not comply with building regulations and was the “principal” reason for the fire’s rapid spread.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “Being on a framework does not guarantee a company will secure government contracts and does not constitute an endorsement of them.

“Under existing EU rules, we are not legally allowed to preclude Rydon Construction from bidding for government contracts.”

Rydon has been contacted.