Cladding boss denies contributing to Grenfell Tower fire disaster

In 2010 Mr Wehrle sent an email to colleagues pointing out that, in this shape, the Reynobond PE product would not meet European fire standards for tall buildings, adding “we have to keep [this] as ‘VERY CONFIDENTIAL’”.

The same year he wrote to a customer that the box shape would be safer.

The Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry said this comment demonstrated “his willingness to resort to deliberate dishonesty in order to support the sale of the product”.

Arconic also withheld the test results from a British body which issued product safety certificates used in the construction industry.

Asked by the BBC why, Mr Wehrle – who has since left Arconic and lives in eastern France where he volunteers as a firefighter – insisted it had not been his decision.

He said: “There are people in that company who were better placed than me to make that kind of decision.”

Responding to the fact his name appears more than a hundred times in the inquiry’s final report, Mr Wehrle said: “I can’t say whether it is fair or unfair. That’s about justice.”

He said the deaths in the tower were “a tragedy and more than a pity”.

“I feel the same way any other human being would, whether bearing no responsibility at all or not,” he added.