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London fire chief to step down four months early amid Grenfell criticism
London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton is to step down earlier than planned amid reports of pressure from families bereaved after the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Ms Cotton, who took on the top job six months before the fire, originally said in June that she would retire next April.
However in a statement today, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said she will now leave on 31 December after “consultation” with the London mayor’s office.
Sadiq Khan said he thought the decision was “the right one”.
Mr Khan reportedly felt the need to act after a delegation of families visited City Hall urging for Ms Cotton to resign, according to the Evening Standard.
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Ms Cotton, who has spent 32 years with the LFB, came under heavy criticism during the Grenfell Inquiry after saying she would not have done anything differently on the night of the fire, which killed 72 people.
The report from the first phase of the inquiry said that Ms Cotton had displayed “remarkable insensitivity” with her comments.
The report also criticised the LFB for “serious shortcomings” and “systemic” failures in its handling of the Grenfell Tower fire. Inquiry chair Sir Martin-Moore Bick’s report said that the LFB’s preparations for a fire like Grenfell were “gravely inadequate”.
Ms Cotton said today: “I feel honoured to have served London and I will do all I can to assist the safe transition of my responsibilities to the new London fire commissioner when they are appointed.”
Mr Khan added: “I want to thank Dany Cotton for her 32 years of service at the London Fire Brigade.
“I believe this decision is the right one. I will be appointing a new fire commissioner shortly and it’s right that they can quickly take on the responsibility to drive forward the changes being made within the brigade, and to deliver on the recommendations made in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report.”
Interviews for a replacement will take place this month, the LFB said.
