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Forever in our hearts s the second stage of the public inquiry gets underway in the UK, and as we approach the third anniversary of the tragic events of 14 June 2017, the charred remains of Grenfell Tower are still covered in white sheeting, emblazoned with the poignant message, ‘Forever in our hearts’. The inquiry is now looking at why the London tower block was wrapped in flammable cladding during its refurbishment between 2012 and 2016. In her opening address to phase two, Stephanie Barwise QC, representing survivors and the families of those who died, said there were ‘epidemic levels of incompetence’ over fire safety at Grenfell and accused the architects, building contractors, suppliers of cladding and insulation material, and the Kensington & Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation of ‘indulging in a blame game’ to avoid
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criminal or civil responsibility. Those involved recently asked the inquiry for key witnesses to be given assurances that their evidence would not be used against them in any criminal proceedings. Recently appointed attorney general Suella Braverman said she had concluded the guarantee was needed to ‘enable the inquiry to continue to hear vital evidence about the circumstances and causes of the fire’. Without it, some witnesses would be likely to decline to give evidence, her office added, by claiming the legal right of privilege against self-incrimination. The immunity for testimony would not apply to evidence already given to the inquiry, which could still be used in a criminal investigation into the tragedy that claimed 72 lives. The Metropolitan Police is investigating a wide range of possible offences related to the blaze, including corporate manslaughter.
24 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | IOSHMAGAZINE.COM
24-25 Update - Big Picture_Mar-Apr 2020_IOSH 24
28/02/2020 11:53
