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Grenfell Tower fire: Public inquiry hearings begin Grenfell Tower fire: Inquiry 'could bring measure of closure'
(about 1 hour later)
The chairman of the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire is holding two days of hearings into how it will work. It is hoped the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire will give "some measure of closure" to survivors and bereaved families, its lead counsel has said.
Sir Martin Moore-Bick will examine the best way for witnesses to the disaster to give evidence. Richard Millett said hearing their voices was of "great importance".
Survivors and bereaved families are this week marking the six-month anniversary of the fire, which killed 71 people. Speaking at the start of procedural hearings at Holborn Bars in London, he said it was key to ensuring "something like this never happens again".
Only 42 of the 208 families needing rehousing due to the blaze have so far been moved to permanent homes. Seventy one people died in the 14 June disaster.
The Metropolitan Police has already gathered 31 million documents and 2,500 physical exhibits. Some 1,144 witnesses have given statements and 283 companies are part of the investigation, the inquiry heard.
It plans to deliver an interim report into the fire's causes and the emergency response by next autumn.
Six months on from the fire, only 42 of the 208 families needing rehousing due to the blaze have so far been moved to permanent homes.
Mohammed Rasoul and his family - including two young children and his 86-year-old father, who has dementia - are still living in a hotel room.Mohammed Rasoul and his family - including two young children and his 86-year-old father, who has dementia - are still living in a hotel room.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's a struggle. In the beginning, immediately after the fire, you think hotels will be comfortable for a while. The novelty soon wears off after a week... when you feel restricted in what you can do.He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's a struggle. In the beginning, immediately after the fire, you think hotels will be comfortable for a while. The novelty soon wears off after a week... when you feel restricted in what you can do.
"You feel like you're a prisoner living in here. The children are very limited in the space they can play in.""You feel like you're a prisoner living in here. The children are very limited in the space they can play in."
Mr Rasoul is pessimistic about the various inquiries taking place into what happened, including the police investigation.Mr Rasoul is pessimistic about the various inquiries taking place into what happened, including the police investigation.
"I personally have lost confidence in our justice system. I hope they can prove me wrong but it doesn't look like people are going to be held accountable.""I personally have lost confidence in our justice system. I hope they can prove me wrong but it doesn't look like people are going to be held accountable."
Three days after the fire, the prime minister twice stated - unprompted - in a BBC interview that all those affected would be rehoused within three weeks.Three days after the fire, the prime minister twice stated - unprompted - in a BBC interview that all those affected would be rehoused within three weeks.
But last week, survivors' group Grenfell United said 118 families would still be in emergency accommodation over Christmas or staying with friends.But last week, survivors' group Grenfell United said 118 families would still be in emergency accommodation over Christmas or staying with friends.
It said a further 48 households had accepted offers for permanent housing - but have still not been moved in, leaving them in temporary accommodation.It said a further 48 households had accepted offers for permanent housing - but have still not been moved in, leaving them in temporary accommodation.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the government of "failing" survivors of the blaze.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the government of "failing" survivors of the blaze.
"It is a disgrace that the majority of Grenfell residents have still not been given homes and that tower blocks across our country have still not been made safe," he said."It is a disgrace that the majority of Grenfell residents have still not been given homes and that tower blocks across our country have still not been made safe," he said.
But Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, defended the council's actions.But Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, defended the council's actions.
"We have got an army of people out there working 24 hours a day, seven days a week because we actually really do care, we do want to get people rehoused," she told Today."We have got an army of people out there working 24 hours a day, seven days a week because we actually really do care, we do want to get people rehoused," she told Today.
"We have been buying homes in this part of London at a rate of about two a day.""We have been buying homes in this part of London at a rate of about two a day."
She said "every family" in a hotel had been offered "alternative accommodation" - but many had refused "for perfectly understandable reasons".She said "every family" in a hotel had been offered "alternative accommodation" - but many had refused "for perfectly understandable reasons".
Acknowledging a "lack of trust" in the council among survivors, she said some families felt "if we take up an offer, we're out of a hotel, we will go down the list of priorities, we will be forgotten about."Acknowledging a "lack of trust" in the council among survivors, she said some families felt "if we take up an offer, we're out of a hotel, we will go down the list of priorities, we will be forgotten about."
Memorial serviceMemorial service
The inquiry hearings on Monday and Tuesday, at the Holborn Bars in central London, will deal with case management issues, such as proposed timescales, matters concerning witnesses and the disclosure of evidence.
Sir Martin wants to produce an initial report explaining the immediate cause and spread of the fire and an assessment of the evacuation process.
Survivors are calling for him to give them a more central role in the inquiry and for the community to be represented on the panel.
The retired judge has already appointed three assessors to advise on housing, local government and technical matters, and five expert witnesses on fire safety.
As the inquiry begins, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) announced its own investigation examining whether authorities failed in their legal obligations to residents.As the inquiry begins, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) announced its own investigation examining whether authorities failed in their legal obligations to residents.
It will also look at whether the government has adequately investigated the fire - including looking into the public inquiry - and expects to conclude its work in April.It will also look at whether the government has adequately investigated the fire - including looking into the public inquiry - and expects to conclude its work in April.
The six-month anniversary of the tragedy will be marked on Thursday with a national memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral.The six-month anniversary of the tragedy will be marked on Thursday with a national memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral.
Attendees will include the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.Attendees will include the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.