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Grenfell fire: Retired judge to lead disaster inquiry Grenfell fire: Retired judge to lead disaster inquiry
(about 2 hours later)
Retired Court of Appeal judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick has been chosen to lead the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire, sources say.Retired Court of Appeal judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick has been chosen to lead the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire, sources say.
The government is likely to confirm Sir Martin's appointment on Thursday.The government is likely to confirm Sir Martin's appointment on Thursday.
A legal source who has worked with him said he was "highly respected" in the profession and "intellectually superb".A legal source who has worked with him said he was "highly respected" in the profession and "intellectually superb".
Appointing people to lead public inquiries can be controversial - the inquiry into historical child sex abuse has had four chairwomen in three years.Appointing people to lead public inquiries can be controversial - the inquiry into historical child sex abuse has had four chairwomen in three years.
Police have said 80 people are now presumed dead in the Grenfell disaster, which happened in west London on 14 June.Police have said 80 people are now presumed dead in the Grenfell disaster, which happened in west London on 14 June.
But the final death toll will not be known until at least the end of the year.But the final death toll will not be known until at least the end of the year.
Most of those who died in the fire were said to be in 23 of the North Kensington tower block's 129 flats.Most of those who died in the fire were said to be in 23 of the North Kensington tower block's 129 flats.
Some residents tried to move up the building to escape the flames - and it is thought a number may have ended up in one flat.
Victims will have state funding for legal representation at the inquiry.Victims will have state funding for legal representation at the inquiry.
Sir Martin Moore-BickSir Martin Moore-Bick
Sir Martin retired as a Lord Justice of Appeal in December.Sir Martin retired as a Lord Justice of Appeal in December.
As a lawyer, he specialised in commercial law before spending more than 20 years as a judge of the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal.As a lawyer, he specialised in commercial law before spending more than 20 years as a judge of the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal.
The legal source told the BBC: "He (Sir Martin) had a successful practice in shipping law at the Bar and would have had to deal with many technical issues in shipping cases - for example, the causes of a ship sinking.The legal source told the BBC: "He (Sir Martin) had a successful practice in shipping law at the Bar and would have had to deal with many technical issues in shipping cases - for example, the causes of a ship sinking.
"This would have meant mastering complex technical evidence and dealing with a raft of expert engineers."This would have meant mastering complex technical evidence and dealing with a raft of expert engineers.
"Though different in nature, these would be engineering issues of similar complexity to those he would have to deal with in the Grenfell inquiry."Though different in nature, these would be engineering issues of similar complexity to those he would have to deal with in the Grenfell inquiry.
"He would also have had to deal with heavy engineering issues while a judge in the commercial court.""He would also have had to deal with heavy engineering issues while a judge in the commercial court."
The source added: "He is unfailingly courteous (and) prepared to change his mind in the light of persuasive argument and evidence."The source added: "He is unfailingly courteous (and) prepared to change his mind in the light of persuasive argument and evidence."
In November 2014, Sir Martin ruled that Westminster City Council could rehouse single mother-of-five Titina Nzolameso 50 miles away in Bletchley near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.In November 2014, Sir Martin ruled that Westminster City Council could rehouse single mother-of-five Titina Nzolameso 50 miles away in Bletchley near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
Ms Nzolameso, who had serious health problems, couldn't afford her London flat after the government's benefits cap.Ms Nzolameso, who had serious health problems, couldn't afford her London flat after the government's benefits cap.
Sir Martin said it was not necessary for the council to explain in detail what other accommodation was available.Sir Martin said it was not necessary for the council to explain in detail what other accommodation was available.
The decision overturned by the Supreme Court in April 2015.The decision overturned by the Supreme Court in April 2015.
What is a public inquiry?What is a public inquiry?
By Brian Wheeler, BBC NewsBy Brian Wheeler, BBC News
Public inquiries are set up for many reasons. Sometimes they are designed to expose the truth after a controversy, or apportion blame to individuals.Public inquiries are set up for many reasons. Sometimes they are designed to expose the truth after a controversy, or apportion blame to individuals.
More often, they simply produce recommendations, which the government can choose to follow or not. Recent examples include Leveson, into press standards, and Chilcot, into the Iraq War.More often, they simply produce recommendations, which the government can choose to follow or not. Recent examples include Leveson, into press standards, and Chilcot, into the Iraq War.
They differ from police investigations because they are conducted, in part at least, in public. They might even be televised.They differ from police investigations because they are conducted, in part at least, in public. They might even be televised.
They can be run by a judge, with witnesses giving evidence under oath, but there is no fixed model. Much depends on the "terms of reference".They can be run by a judge, with witnesses giving evidence under oath, but there is no fixed model. Much depends on the "terms of reference".
They can also drag on for years and cost millions of pounds - although the government says it wants the Grenfell Tower inquiry to "move with speed".They can also drag on for years and cost millions of pounds - although the government says it wants the Grenfell Tower inquiry to "move with speed".