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Corbyn concerned Grenfell public inquiry will be too 'narrow'
Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he is concerned the scope of the Grenfell Tower public inquiry will be too “narrow”, in a letter to Theresa May sent this afternoon.
His concern follows remarks made by the judge leading the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who said yesterday that residents “want a much broader investigation”.
He added: “Whether my inquiry is the right way in which to achieve that I’m more doubtful. There may be other ways in which that desire for an investigation can be satisfied.”
Sir Martin said his inquiry will be “pretty well limited” to how the fire started and the speed of its spread “in order to make recommendations as to how this sort of thing can be prevented in the future”.
In his letter Mr Corbyn questioned who had instructed Sir Martin and how his comments are compatible with the prime minister’s commitment that residents and families of the deceased would be consulted on the terms of reference for the inquiry.
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Mr Corbyn said the Grenfell Tower fire has “much wider implications for national policy issues” including building regulations and enforcement, housing allocation policy, the funding of local councils, housing associations and the fire service and the sub-contracting of maintenance.
He added: “An inquiry with narrow terms of reference risks failing to learn all the lessons of this tragedy.”
He said the resident and country would be “better served” by a two-part inquiry, with the first part focused on Grenfell Tower and the second part looking at national issues.
All residents should receive permanent accommodation in the borough, Mr Corbyn said.
Councils and housing associations should be given upfront funding to carry out fire safety work and an “overhaul” if building regulations should take place, as recommended by the coroners in the Lakanal House and Shirley Tower fires four years ago.
