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| Grenfell Tower fire: Inquiry 'could bring measure of closure' | Grenfell Tower fire: Inquiry 'could bring measure of closure' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Richard Millett said hearing their voices was of "great importance". | Richard Millett said hearing their voices was of "great importance". |
| 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". | 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". |
| Seventy-one people died in the 14 June disaster. | |
| The Metropolitan Police is investigating offences including manslaughter, corporate manslaughter, misconduct in public office and breaches of fire safety regulations in relation to the fire, the inquiry heard. | |
| The force has already gathered 31 million documents and 2,500 physical exhibits. Some 1,144 witnesses have given statements and 383 companies are part of the investigation. | |
| The inquiry 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. | 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." |
| On the inquiries into what happened, Mr Rasoul was pessimistic, saying: "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. |
| 'Lack of trust' | |
| 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." |
| 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. |