Building Safety and Fire Minister, Lord Stephen Greenhalgh has resigned from his position in the wake of Boris Johnson’s own resignation.
During his tenure as Minister of State for Building Safety and Fire, Lord Greenhalgh was responsible for overseeing the building safety program, improving leasehold and freehold conditions for tenants, the Grenfell Tower recovery process, as well as the Public Inquiry into the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Regulatory system failures
Lord Greenhalgh resigned on the afternoon of Friday 8 July – one of over 50 MPs to stand down from Johnson’s government within a matter of days.
In a letter to Johnson published on Twitter, Lord Stephen Greenhalgh stated: “It has been a privilege to have been given the opportunity to serve as a minister in your government. I have worked hard to ensure that a tragedy like Grenfell never happens again."
The Building Safety Act is the landmark legislation that delivers on this mission"
He adds, "The Building Safety Act is the landmark legislation that delivers on this mission. This Act of Parliament has brought about the biggest changes to building legislation in our history. It not only addresses the total building safety regulatory system failures head on, but also protects leaseholders who are the victims of the building safety crisis.”
Most comprehensive plans
Lord Greenhalgh continues: “As Fire Minister, I set out the most comprehensive plans for reform in decades through the Government’s Fire and Rescue Service White Paper.” He also highlighted other areas that he had overseen in recent years in his resignation letter, including the ban on ground rents, which came into force at the end of last month.
Lord Greenhalgh concluded: “I am saddened at the turn of events that has resulted in your decision to stand down as Prime Minister. Now that the die has been cast, I have decided that this is the right time for me to resign. Of course, I will continue to serve the Government from the back benches.”
Lord Greenhalgh served as a Conservative councilor at Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council for 18 years, leading the organization between 2006 and 2012. He has also served as Faith Minister, Leasehold Minister, and Building Safety Minister. He became a Peer of the Realm in 2020.