You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Police investigation reveals 383 companies were involved in Grenfell refurbishment
The Metropolitan Police investigation into the Grenfell Tower tragedy has identified 383 companies which have had “some involvement” in its refurbishment.
In a statement to this morning’s procedural hearing for the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Jeremy Johnson, a lawyer representing the Metropolitan Police, said the police are investigating offences including but not limited to “manslaughter, corporate manslaughter, misconduct in public office and breaches of fire safety legislation”.
The hearing was intended to determine how the public inquiry will work, and as a core participant, the Met was asked to contribute. It took the opportunity to give an update on the progress of its criminal investigation.
Mr Johnson said that the police’s investigation involves 187 police officers and civilian staff, who have examined more than 31,000,000 documents, seized 2,500 physical exhibits, taken 2,332 witness statements from 1,144 witnesses and identified 383 companies as having “some involvement in or connection to the construction or refurbishment of Grenfell Tower”.
READ MORE
The police, he said, hope to give a “full and accurate picture of how the fire spread and took hold” in autumn 2018, once they have had a chance to finish forensic tests, including reconstructions. These tests, he added, would involve “careful analysis of every room within the tower as well as every inch of the communal areas and of course, importantly, the outside of the tower”.
The force will then move on to interview further witnesses and suspects in light of the evidence collected in these tests.
Mr Johnson added: “Of course, the police wish that this could be done more quickly, but there is a robust logic to that timetable, and all I can say is that my client is committed to keeping the families and survivors updated as to the progress of the investigation in regular briefings.”
At another point in the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick suggested that he was considering – as a compromise with those who want survivors of the fire given decision-making powers – establishing a consultative panel led by survivors.
Later in the hearing, lawyers representing survivors of the fire voiced concerns over whether they would be properly represented during the inquiry.
Addressing Sir Martin, Leslie Thomas, a solicitor representing 17 people affected by the disaster, said: “Sir, I make no apologies for what I’m about to say, because one of the things that will not be lost on you, or anybody else who sits in this inquiry.
“You can see most of the victim core participants because they’re sitting right at the back. You couldn’t get a more diverse group of people. Now look at the lawyers. Look at the lawyers who represent predominantly, because of the way you’ve divided us, the corporate core participants.
“Even to an extent, look at those of us who represent the victim core participants. Fairly homogenised group, wouldn’t you agree? Apart from the odd exception here and there. What must they be thinking in terms of: ‘Are we going to get justice? Do they understand us?’”
Three other lawyers making representations – Pete Weatherby, Allison Munroe, Sam Stein, voiced similar concerns – and these latter three said the inquiry venue should be moved closer to the site of the tragedy.
Update: at 17.58, 11.12.17 This story was updated to add details from the hearing’s afternoon session.
Update: at 17.45, 11.12.17 This story was updated to include detail about a survivors’ consultative panel.
Never Again campaign
Inside Housing has launched a campaign to improve fire safety following the Grenfell Tower fire
Never Again: campaign asks
Inside Housing is calling for immediate action to implement the learning from the Lakanal House fire, and a commitment to act – without delay – on learning from the Grenfell Tower tragedy as it becomes available.
LANDLORDS
- Take immediate action to check cladding and external panels on tower blocks and take prompt, appropriate action to remedy any problems
- Update risk assessments using an appropriate, qualified expert.
- Commit to renewing assessments annually and after major repair or cladding work is carried out
- Review and update evacuation policies and ‘stay put’ advice in light of risk assessments, and communicate clearly to residents
GOVERNMENT
- Provide urgent advice on the installation and upkeep of external insulation
- Update and clarify building regulations immediately – with a commitment to update if additional learning emerges at a later date from the Grenfell inquiry
- Fund the retrofitting of sprinkler systems in all tower blocks across the UK (except where there are specific structural reasons not to do so)
We will submit evidence from our research to the Grenfell public inquiry.
The inquiry should look at why opportunities to implement learning that could have prevented the fire were missed, in order to ensure similar opportunities are acted on in the future.
