A senior UK Conservative minister has written to Ulster Rugby asking them to reconsider their relationship with Kingspan after the firm’s products were used in Grenfell Tower, where 72 people were killed in a fire four years ago.
The Irish insulation firm is the club’s shirt sponsor and also holds naming rights to their home stadium in Ravenhill in south Belfast.
The Grenfell Inquiry into the tragic fire at the London tower block heard evidence criticising Kingspan’s business practices.
I have written to @UlsterRugby asking them to reconsider their relationship with insulation firm Kingspan while the Grenfell Inquiry is ongoing.
I will continue to pursue justice and accountability for the Grenfell community and those affected by building safety crisis. pic.twitter.com/sVwMO8RU9s— Michael Gove (@michaelgove) December 22, 2021
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Kingspan has said that its K15 insulation product made up only 5 per cent of the insulation in the tower block, and was used without its recommendation.
It has also said the exterior cladding, which it did not manufacture, was deemed by the inquiry to be the “principal reason” for how quickly the fire spread.
Michael Gove tweeted that he has written to Ulster Rugby to ask them to reconsider their relationship with Kingspan while the Grenfell Inquiry is ongoing.
Sharing a copy of the letter, he added: “I will continue to pursue justice and accountability for the Grenfell community and those affected by building safety crisis”.
Earlier this month, Formula One team Mercedes announced they had ended their sponsorship deal with Kingspan, saying it was “not appropriate” to continue the partnership.
Ulster Rugby has been contacted for a response.
