London,
10
December
2020
|
15:22
Europe/London

Grenfell Inquiry hears evidence about PR agencies

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has published the following statement regarding recent evidence to the Grenfell Inquiry relating to two PR agencies:

Recent evidence to the Grenfell inquiry indicates that two PR agencies, Portland Communications and Grayling, were providing advice to a firm that manufactured some of the cladding on Grenfell Tower in the months after the fire there. The advice related to persuading ministers and MPs that the cladding manufactured by Kingspan was safe. 

What various firms and professionals knew about the cladding materials is the subject of the Grenfell Inquiry, which continues to gather evidence.   

 

CIPR President, Jenni Field Chart.PR, FCIPR
The CIPR Code of Conduct requires members to maintain the highest standards of integrity, and to deal honestly and fairly with the public.  This means that a CIPR member should not work for a client whose intention is to use their services to mislead.  As long as a client allows their PR advisors to behave professionally, the CIPR Code of Conduct is not breached, whatever views people might have about the client itself.
CIPR President, Jenni Field Chart.PR, FCIPR

The CIPR reminds its members of the need to undertake appropriate due diligence before taking on a new client. Members who feel uncertain about a prospective new client or are unsure about how to respond to requests from existing ones may seek advice on the CIPR ethics hotline on 0207 631 6969.  

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About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations

Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners with nearly 10,000 members.

The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).