Arconic refuses to release documents to Grenfell Tower public enquiry

Arconic, a $13bn US metals group has refused to release documents about the flammable cladding on Grenfell Tower to the public enquiry into the fire  and a US lawsuit brought by survivors and victims’ families, citing a French law limiting disclosures.

The company formerly known as Alcoa, has invoked the 1968 “ French blocking Statute” which bars companies and people in France from disclosing commercial information in foreign courts without a court order.

Arconic argued in the US suite this month that its subsidiary in France, where the cladding was made and sold, fell under the statute, meaning its documents could not be produced – a claim contested by the plantiffs.

The cladding used on Grenfell Tower was made in Merxhelm, France the company has told the UK inquiry into  the 2017 disaster  in which 72 died. The inquiry has already found that the cladding was the main reason for the rapid spread of fire.

Arconic and two other companies face a wrongful death lawsuit in Pennsylvania from survivors and the estates of many of those killed.

Lawyers for the 247 plaintiffs in the case rejected the argument. “ US courts, including the Supreme Court, have overwhelmingly held that the French blocking statute does not in any way restrict or prohibit the discovery that a party is entitle to in US-based litigation” they said.