Former Arconic executive tells Grenfell inquiry she knew cladding could burn

Debbie French says firm provided more flammable version of panels by default as part of marketing strategy

The executive who sold the cladding used on Grenfell Tower knew it could burn but did not tell customers, she has admitted to the public inquiry into the fire.

Debbie French, the UK sales manager for Arconic from 2007 to 2014, said the company provided the more flammable version of the panels by default in a marketing strategy that recognised a fire-retardant version that drastically increases fire resistance" was less likely to secure contracts on price.