The tragic Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 claimed the lives of 72 people, exposing critical failures in building safety and regulatory oversight.

As Badenoch and Robert Jenrick emerged as the final candidates in the Tory leadership contest, it was revealed that Badenoch received a £5,000 donation from Quentin Marshall, a councillor involved in the oversight of Grenfell.

Marshall chaired the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's housing committee from 2010 to 2016, during which the controversial refurbishment of Grenfell Tower was planned and executed.

The public inquiry into Grenfell disclosed that Marshall's committee ignored fire safety concerns raised by the London fire brigade prior to the disaster.

Previously, Marshall had dismissed residents' complaints about the Grenfell refurbishment as 'grossly exaggerated,' showcasing a troubling lack of empathy.

Kemi Badenoch, a candidate for Tory leadership, has been an advocate for deregulation, raising concerns in light of the inquiry's findings that linked such policies under David Cameron to the fire safety failures that contributed to the Grenfell disaster.

Emails revealed during the inquiry indicated that Marshall downplayed serious complaints regarding the council's housing management and showed little sympathy for residents' concerns.

Under questioning at the inquiry, Marshall acknowledged his committee's lack of compassion and expressed regret, stating they could have done better.

Ed Daffarn, a survivor of the Grenfell fire, voiced his outrage over Marshall's support for Badenoch, fearing that the Conservative Party has not learned from the tragedy.

In defense of his donation, Marshall's spokesperson claimed it was a show of support for Badenoch's policies and emphasized his commitment to public service and resident safety.

Badenoch has refrained from commenting on the controversy surrounding the donation, while the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea stated that political donations are a matter for individual councillors.

The inquiry also found that Marshall's committee failed to adequately investigate the breakdown of trust between the landlord and residents during the refurbishment process.