Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry

A public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed at least 80 people and destroyed Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017, was ordered by Prime Minister Theresa May on the following day.[1][2] May announced on 29 June 2017 that the inquiry would be chaired by retired judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick, with the immediate priority "to establish the facts of what happened at Grenfell Tower in order to take the necessary action to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again." She stated that "No stone will be left unturned by this Inquiry".[3]

The terms of reference of the Inquiry are yet to be announced.[3]

Terms of reference

In her 29 June statement appointing Moore-Bick, echoing the promise made in her statement to Parliament on 22 June[4] and that expressed by her Government on 15 June,[1] May said that "No stone will be left unturned by this Inquiry". She also stated that "Before the Inquiry starts Sir Martin will consult all those with an interest, including survivors and victims’ families, about the terms of reference."

On 29 June, after Moore-Bick had met some survivors of the tragedy at the site of the fire in North Kensington that day, he said that he was "doubtful" that the process would be as wide-ranging as some residents hoped and that the inquiry could be limited to the cause, how the fire spread, and the prevention of future fires.[5]

On 30 June Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote to Theresa May to say that the inquiry's terms should be broad, because the fire had "much wider implications for national policy issues".[6] Former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer said that "The inquiry has got to look at how [the regulatory] regime developed, or I think the residents would feel they were let down."[6]

On 5 July the Inquiry team invited "all those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire and others with an interest" "to help shape the work of the public Inquiry".[7] It issued a consultation document[8] which stated that the Inquiry will need to examine "circumstances well beyond the design, construction and modification of the building itself", including "the role of relevant public authorities and contractors", "the adequacy and enforcement of relevant regulations", "the arrangements in place locally for handling emergencies of this sort," and "the handling of concerns previously expressed by local residents."[8] The deadline for consultation on the terms of reference had initially been 14 July,[7] but was extended (on 11 July) to 28 July. [9]

On 17 July Corbyn wrote again to Theresa May, saying: "As I set out in my letter dated 30 June, there is considerable concern among residents and others that the judge leading the inquiry has already been directed towards a narrowly defined Terms of Reference, which will not bring residents the answers they seek."[10]

"Following feedback from local residents and survivors", on 19 July Moore-Bick further extended the terms of reference consultation period to 4 August.[9]

Reactions

Greater London residents took to social media demanding a public inquest, not an inquiry, posting a website grenfelltower.org.uk demanding justice and continued scrutiny over the public inquiry. The website owners made a public statement on their website that they were supportive London residents and not survivors of the fire and as such had corrected wording on their twitter bio and instagram bio.

The appointment of Sir Martin Moore-Bick to lead the inquiry was questioned on 3 July by lawyers acting on behalf of the families and on 4 July by the MP for Kensington, Emma Dent Coad. They all called for him to stand down, with the local MP saying that Moore-Bick lacked "credibility" with victims, who needed "somebody we can trust." Having spoken, she said, with hundreds of those affected, "We need somebody who can do the detail but we need somebody who can actually understand human beings as well."[11] Lord Chancellor David Lidington said Moore-Bick would lead the inquiry "with impartiality and a determination to get to the truth and see justice done".[11]

On 25 July, at the second public meeting held by the Inquiry before finalisation of the terms of reference, various residents criticised the lack of diversity of the Inquiry panel, saying that it did not represent the community. Citing the Westminster City Council case, in which Moore-Bick allowed a local resident to be rehoused 50 miles away with no explanation, a resident said "Your very presence is an affront to this community." There were impassioned calls for Moore-Bick to recuse himself. Moore-Bick responded, "We are going to investigate and find the facts in relation to the whole course of events" leading up to the fire.[12][13]

There is concern that previous inquiries under Theresa May that appeared to be independent were controlled and there is uncertainty how far the Grenfell inquiry will be independent.[14]

Timing of report

On 15 June, BBC reporter Brian Wheeler noted that public inquiries "can drag on for years".[2] In her 29 June announcement of Martin Moore-Bick's appointment, Theresa May said "I expect the Chair will want to produce an interim report as early as possible."[3] On 30 June, in a letter to Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn said he wanted a guarantee that the initial findings would be published by the end of the summer.[15] On 10 July it was reported that the Inquiry's public hearings were expected to start in early September.[16] In his letter to Theresa May of 17 July, Jeremy Corbyn repeated his call for an interim report to be issued by the end of the summer.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "London fire: Theresa May demands full public inquiry into Grenfell Tower disaster". Express online. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  2. 1 2 "London fire: Prime minister orders full public inquiry". BBC online. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "Grenfell Tower Fire Written Statement". UK Parliament Official Website. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "Grenfell Tower fire: 'Combustible' cladding in use on other high-rise blocks across UK, says Theresa May". The Independent online. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  5. ↑ "Grenfell Tower fire: Judge 'doubt' over inquiry scope". BBC online. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Grenfell inquiry could be 'too narrow', Jeremy Corbyn warns". The Guardian. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Grenfell Tower Inquiry seeks views on its work". Grenfell Tower Inquiry. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Chair of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry seeks views on the Terms of Reference of the Inquiry" (PDF). Grenfell Tower Inquiry. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Latest news from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry". Grenfell Tower Inquiry. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  10. 1 2 "Jeremy Corbyn’s Grenfell Tower Fire Letter To Theresa May In Full". Huffington Post. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  11. 1 2 "Grenfell fire: MP calls for inquiry chairman to quit". BBC online. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "Grenfell Inquiry Judge Told To Resign By Angry Residents As Lack Of Diversity On Panel Is Challenged". Huffington Post. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  13. ↑ "Grenfell fire: Judge in second meeting with angry survivors". BBC online. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  14. ↑ Child abuse panel members say 'inquiries are not independent' The Guardian
  15. ↑ "Grenfell fire: Corbyn warns over 'narrow' inquiry". 30 June 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  16. ↑ "Grenfell fire: Police say 255 people survived the blaze". BBC online. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
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