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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/12/steven-mcguirk-grenfell-expert-alleged-support-cuts-fire-union
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| Fire union calls for 'compromised' Grenfell expert to stand down | Fire union calls for 'compromised' Grenfell expert to stand down |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Fire Brigades Union has called for one of the key experts appointed by the Grenfell Tower inquiry to stand down because of his alleged support in the past for cuts to services and deregulation. | The Fire Brigades Union has called for one of the key experts appointed by the Grenfell Tower inquiry to stand down because of his alleged support in the past for cuts to services and deregulation. |
| Martin Seaward, a barrister representing the FBU, told the inquiry Steven McGuirk, a former chief fire officer in Greater Manchester, would be “conflicted” and “compromised” in giving evidence. | |
| The FBU, he said, believed the emergency response to the Grenfell blaze was affected by previous cuts to the fire service in London. | The FBU, he said, believed the emergency response to the Grenfell blaze was affected by previous cuts to the fire service in London. |
| McGuirk, Seaward said, had always been at the “opposite end of the table” from the FBU whenever there had been negotiations over staffing levels for the fire service. | McGuirk, Seaward said, had always been at the “opposite end of the table” from the FBU whenever there had been negotiations over staffing levels for the fire service. |
| “The FBU wants this inquiry to consider the effect of deregulation, closures and cuts to the response on 14 June [at Grenfell Tower],” he said. | “The FBU wants this inquiry to consider the effect of deregulation, closures and cuts to the response on 14 June [at Grenfell Tower],” he said. |
| “That’s part of the big question of how this happened in London. We say that Mr McGuirk is conflicted in advising on this team. He has also been the principal adviser to local authorities on fire safety guidance.” | “That’s part of the big question of how this happened in London. We say that Mr McGuirk is conflicted in advising on this team. He has also been the principal adviser to local authorities on fire safety guidance.” |
| McGuirk would be unable to help on several issues, Seaward said. “For example, he was in charge of Greater Manchester when recommendations were made from the Lakanal fire [in London] and one question would be whether those recommendations were carried out.” | McGuirk would be unable to help on several issues, Seaward said. “For example, he was in charge of Greater Manchester when recommendations were made from the Lakanal fire [in London] and one question would be whether those recommendations were carried out.” |
| He said McGuirk would be compromised in his duty to be impartial and independent. He should replaced by a senior officer from Scotland, Seaward suggested. | He said McGuirk would be compromised in his duty to be impartial and independent. He should replaced by a senior officer from Scotland, Seaward suggested. |
| Firefighters were also victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, Seaward also told the inquiry. “Those who attended and those who took the harrowing calls are victims who were exposed to trauma,” Seaward said. | Firefighters were also victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, Seaward also told the inquiry. “Those who attended and those who took the harrowing calls are victims who were exposed to trauma,” Seaward said. |
| “They were exposed to trauma again and again when they went back in. Nearly all the firefighters were traumatised and some were injured by the traumas. Late-onset PTSD, as in the military, is becoming a recognised condition.” | “They were exposed to trauma again and again when they went back in. Nearly all the firefighters were traumatised and some were injured by the traumas. Late-onset PTSD, as in the military, is becoming a recognised condition.” |