Opening commemoration hearing for the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, honoring those who died through family testimonies including Logan Gomez, Dennis Murphy, and Sabah Neda.
00:00:17 good morning and welcome to the first hearing of the inquiry into the fire at Greenville tower in June last year in terms of loss of life the fire was the
00:00:28 terms of loss of life the fire was the single greatest tragedy to perform befall this city since the end of the Second World War the site of the building engulfed in flame is indelibly
00:00:39 building engulfed in flame is indelibly imprinted on the memories of those who experienced an event of unimaginable horror to experience it even at secondhand in the form of photographs or
00:00:52 secondhand in the form of photographs or video recordings is truly shocking when we die we live on in the memories of those who knew and loved us it is
00:01:04 those who knew and loved us it is fitting therefore that the opening hearings of the inquiry at which evidence will be taken should be dedicated to the memory of those who died they will be remembered through the
00:01:16 died they will be remembered through the words and pictures chosen by the people who knew them best and loved them most their families and friends they will share with us their memories of those
00:01:28 share with us their memories of those whom they've lost during the coming days there will be much sorrow sorrow at the memory of lives cut short and sorrow at
00:01:40 memory of lives cut short and sorrow at the contemplation of promise unfulfilled sorrow at the loss of place relations and sorrow at the absence of friends and neighbors but that sorrow will I hope be
00:01:54 neighbors but that sorrow will I hope be tempered by memories of past happiness of time spent together and a former joys and above all by Thanksgiving for those
00:02:05 and above all by Thanksgiving for those who by their lives enrich the lives of those with whom they lived and among whom they moved although what we shall
00:02:16 whom they moved although what we shall hear and see over the coming days may dissipate ascribed as memorials they are in truth much more than that they are an integral part of the
00:02:27 they are an integral part of the evidence before the inquiry they will remind us of its fundamental purpose and the reason why it is so important that the truth be laid bare
00:02:39 important that the truth be laid bare only by achieving that goal can we ensure justice for the living and a lasting tribute to the dead at the end
00:02:50 lasting tribute to the dead at the end of these hearings the names of all those whom we're commemorating will be read out but now as was done at Westminster a week ago I invite you to stand for 72
00:03:03 week ago I invite you to stand for 72 seconds silence as a mark of respect to those who died
00:04:23 thank you very much
00:04:31 I now invite mr. millets council to the inquiry to make some opening remarks mr.
00:05:01 inquiry to make some opening remarks mr. chairman Grenfell tower is a twenty four storey residential tower block including its roof plant floor which stands in the
00:05:13 its roof plant floor which stands in the Lancaster West estate in North Kensington London West 11 it was completed in 1974 and is owned by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
00:05:27 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for 43 years it provided homes for thousands of Londoners in its 120 later 129 flats six
00:05:38 Londoners in its 120 later 129 flats six flats per floor between 2014 and 2016 grenfell Tower underwent a substantial
00:05:49 grenfell Tower underwent a substantial refurbishment programme the principal element of which was the construction of a cladding system on the exterior of the building sometime shortly before six
00:06:03 building sometime shortly before six minutes to one on the morning of the 14th of June 2017 a fire broke out in the kitchen in flat 16 on the fourth
00:06:14 the kitchen in flat 16 on the fourth floor on the east elevation of the tower within minutes thereafter the fire had broken out of the flat and into the cladding in which the building had
00:06:25 cladding in which the building had recently been wrapped by 129 a.m. the flames on the exterior had reached the top of floor 23 on the east elevation by
00:06:38 top of floor 23 on the east elevation by 251 am all four elevations of the building had become involved in fire the last surviving resident escaped
00:06:49 fire the last surviving resident escaped the tower at 8:07 a.m. on the 14th of June 2017 at 1955 p.m. the same day the then incident commander declared that
00:07:02 then incident commander declared that there was no longer any savable life in the building the fire at Grenville tower claimed the lives of 71 women men and
00:07:15 claimed the lives of 71 women men and children on that night had a further life on the 29th of January 2018 it was the largest fire related loss of life in the United Kingdom since the
00:07:28 life in the United Kingdom since the Piper Alpha disaster of July 1988 it was also as the chairman said the worst loss of life due to fire and domestic
00:07:39 of life due to fire and domestic premises since the Second World War on the 15th of June 2017 the Prime Minister announced a public inquiry into the causes of and circumstances surrounding
00:07:51 causes of and circumstances surrounding the fire and on the 29th of June she appointed the chairman as chairman now after many months of evidence gathering
00:08:03 after many months of evidence gathering assembly and analysis the inquiry begins the hearings of this phase 1 of its work these phase 1 hearings are a search for
00:08:15 these phase 1 hearings are a search for the truth about the building and its makeup about the physics of the fire calls and spread the systems in place or not in place for dealing with a fire of
00:08:27 not in place for dealing with a fire of this kind about what were the actions and the decisions of the London Fire Brigade and the other emergency services on the night and about the human
00:08:38 on the night and about the human experience of those who escaped and in some cases of those who did not phase 2 will examine all the other issues
00:08:49 will examine all the other issues including who took the decisions that led to the building being as it was and why
00:08:56 why as well as an assessment of the firefighting and fire survival guidance strategies but grenfell is not a lawyer's argument or a scientists
00:09:08 lawyer's argument or a scientists experiment Grenville tower was not a public space used by countless faceless crowds Grenfell was home it's flats were
00:09:21 crowds Grenfell was home it's flats were private and supposedly safe spaces where individuals could live their lives cook their dinners do their homework feed their dogs host their friends and their
00:09:32 their dogs host their friends and their families pursue their work in or come home from work - it was a human space for human lives each unique that is what a home is and for many who lived there
00:09:46 a home is and for many who lived there grenfell was not only a home but a place of refuge
00:09:51 of refuge many of Granville towers residents had made Granville their home because they had chosen to live in London attracted here by its vibrancy its work and career
00:10:03 here by its vibrancy its work and career prospects and its reputation for tolerance some had done so because the countries of their birth have become intolerable places to live and beyond
00:10:16 intolerable places to live and beyond that Grenfell was not only a home not only a place of refuge it was a joined up community whose members worked played prayed and lived together and who stood
00:10:30 prayed and lived together and who stood often together as a single voice demanding justice and dignity and many of them died together a search for the
00:10:41 of them died together a search for the truth is always hard and painstaking that is because the truth is not usually one big thing but comprises many tiny fragments in our search using the tools
00:10:55 fragments in our search using the tools of evidence and science at our disposal we risk losing sight of why we are doing it and the people we are doing it for so it is only right that this inquiry
00:11:07 it is only right that this inquiry starts not with the study of combustible Reles fire spread and the building regulations that will come soon enough but with the individual human voices and
00:11:19 but with the individual human voices and faces of this tragedy today and in the days that follow you will hear from the families and friends who have lost their loved ones in the flames at Grenville
00:11:31 loved ones in the flames at Grenville tower and to whose memory our search for the truth is dedicated the bereaved have chosen to commemorate their loved ones in different ways some by speaking to
00:11:43 in different ways some by speaking to you directly some through their legal representatives and some by presenting a film or montage of photographs as Maya Angelou wrote there is no greater agony
00:11:55 Angelou wrote there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you we hope that these days of commemorations of Grenville's lost loved ones will enable their stories to be
00:12:07 ones will enable their stories to be told and the agony of those who bear them to be lessened by telling them but there are some for whom the weight of grief is simply too great to bear and
00:12:20 grief is simply too great to bear and who have chosen to grieve privately or in silence for them the inquiry is honored to provide a voice with which to name their loved ones so may we remember
00:12:35 name their loved ones so may we remember Victoria King flat 172 so may we remember Alexandra attala
00:12:46 remember Alexandra attala flat 172
00:12:57 so may we remember marco guitar d-flat 202
00:13:08 so maybe remember abou FAR's ibrahim flat 206 so may we remember Abdeslam
00:13:20 flat 206 so may we remember Abdeslam sävar flat 81 and so may we remember Sheila flat 132 I will now ask Bernhard
00:13:34 Sheila flat 132 I will now ask Bernhard Riemann to invite the first of the families to come here to the table to speak thank you can I explain how things
00:13:52 speak thank you can I explain how things will proceed because they will vary some people will choose to speak from the lectern and some from the table families and loved ones may join them either on
00:14:05 and loved ones may join them either on the stage or in some circumstances at the chairs on the floor for each person there will be a slightly different arrangement and so between each of the
00:14:17 arrangement and so between each of the commemorations I'll ask if we may please have a pause while that's done if they're to be lengthy preparations I'll ask for a break so that people can stretch their legs the first of our
00:14:31 stretch their legs the first of our commemorations is a commemoration to Logan Gomez and I'd invite his family and solicitor to join us on the stage thank you
00:15:15 it's a really big room but you've got the microphone there to help you take your time absolutely no rush I know of course because we've met that you're
00:15:27 course because we've met that you're Marcio Gomez and that you're Logan's father but you have a group of people with you and I wonder if you'd like to introduce those who are with you this morning yeah absolutely excuse my
00:15:42 this morning yeah absolutely excuse my voice I've got cold at the moment you could pull that closer to you if you want to I hope you can all hear me on my right is my wife Andrea and my friend
00:15:54 right is my wife Andrea and my friend and lawyer Martin how and also a friend a lawyer Dipti and our key worker and friends and it grant and also David
00:16:05 friends and it grant and also David behind me who's also part of the Loya group well you're all very welcome and thank you for all that you have done to prepare this Marcia the way that you and
00:16:17 prepare this Marcia the way that you and I are going to do this today we've agreed is that you and I effectively gonna have a chat and you're gonna tell the rest of us about what you've prepared perhaps you'd like to tell us
00:16:28 prepared perhaps you'd like to tell us first of all what we're looking at now you'll see there's a screen there for you but we're seeing it behind you yep so what's that we're looking at so twinkle twinkle little star do you know
00:16:41 twinkle twinkle little star do you know how loved you are this was on my son's a nursery war and it was just our way of showing how much we loved our son Logan
00:16:52 showing how much we loved our son Logan even though he wasn't born at that time but everything was ready for his arrival he'll be working quite hard I think I did work extremely hard to made that
00:17:04 I did work extremely hard to made that nursery am what it was as you probably know we lived on the 21st floor when I live with my wife Andrea and our two daughters Lou Anna and Megan on that
00:17:19 daughters Lou Anna and Megan on that night we managed to escape the horrific fire around 4:00 in the morning I think you just like to pause because although you've mentioned the names of your
00:17:31 you've mentioned the names of your children of course we'd like any publicity to be very careful if possible not to name children to keep their privacy and I think that's the same with your two children isn't it absolutely so
00:17:48 your two children isn't it absolutely so that same evening when I found out that we had lost our son Logan in a hospital
00:17:59 we had lost our son Logan in a hospital and that was the time I had to do it on my own because my daughter our daughters and my wife for both were all in comas
00:18:15 take your time it's no rush
00:18:21 but all three are okay now all free okay sickly okay they'll physically okay and we're trying to move on Ford thank you so we're going
00:18:35 to move on Ford thank you so we're going to look at another slide now aren't we I think you're in control there not me which is good so this was our little star Logan Gomez his due date was on the
00:18:50 star Logan Gomez his due date was on the 21st of August but instead he was born on the 14th of June
00:19:06 they evening I was fortunate enough to hold my son just pause a minute because some people just need to take the seat
00:19:30 so I held my son the Mahon Zeidan hoping it was all battery wishing praying for any kind of
00:19:43 battery wishing praying for any kind of miracle that he would just open his eyes move make a sound as we know don't have
00:19:58 move make a sound as we know don't have happened
00:20:13 as a family we went on adventures already even though he wasn't here we did The Gruffalo search rent searching
00:20:25 did The Gruffalo search rent searching we found him but firstly we found his friends the Fox and the owl already we had so much planned for him in terms of
00:20:37 had so much planned for him in terms of adventures and what we would do together the girls they already planning Norwich football team he was gonna support which
00:20:49 football team he was gonna support which scene was that well the augment went towards my side I think so he was gonna support Benfica from Portugal and live for from the UK
00:21:05 from Portugal and live for from the UK yeah and I think I'll go away with that one
00:21:08 one bye no fairness they did agree to compromise on that and that was that they were go to Disneyland the summer after which we would have been going
00:21:19 after which we would have been going this summer I should have everything been all right
00:21:32 the happiness you know everybody was so happy that Logan was was going to be born no more so than my wife and dryer
00:21:45 born no more so than my wife and dryer as you can see from the photos she was just glowing with happiness the
00:21:54 pregnancy suta and all our friends family all very happy that Logan was being born you know
00:22:07 happy that Logan was being born you know her
00:22:08 her we cried during the the reveal party that we had when I found out it was a boy maybe I've become a little bit of a
00:22:21 boy maybe I've become a little bit of a crybaby nowadays but we all cried at that moment the girls were really happy and adjourned II the boy the baby shower
00:22:34 and adjourned II the boy the baby shower many friends were there and many presents and it was all happy memories for us
00:22:50 he was my gaming buddy I currently see it you know I could be playing the Xbox and he'd be there with me
00:22:59 me plain as my partner he was gonna be my superstar our daughters were already
00:23:11 superstar our daughters were already making plans as before we had the nursery ready for Logan when he was born they didn't care about nursery they
00:23:23 they didn't care about nursery they wanted him to sleep with them in their beds they would say to us mommy daddy you can go out you can go and have your
00:23:34 you can go out you can go and have your meals you know don't don't worry about the baby will look after the baby you know Logan will sleep with us he'll be right here so much time all my oldest
00:23:45 right here so much time all my oldest loved his nursery and the way it was decorated so much that she wanted to swap she wants to sleep there I said why can't I sleep in it in his room and he
00:23:57 can't I sleep in it in his room and he could sleep with my youngest or both sleeping in the louder they were extremely happy with what was coming so
00:24:10 extremely happy with what was coming so happy that they didn't care about not having summer holidays because normally that's important for them to go away and be in a beach somewhere but they didn't
00:24:21 be in a beach somewhere but they didn't care they say we'll put off it's no problem
00:24:29 he might not be here physically but he will always be here in our hearts and he'll be forever you know I know he's
00:24:41 he'll be forever you know I know he's here we've got right next to me give me strength of courage to take this forward
00:25:10 and this subviewer for sleeping baby
00:25:19 that was absolutely beautiful thank you very much he was so peaceful so restful he looked like he was just
00:25:41 so restful he looked like he was just sleeping baby Stephen you know at that moment we felt like our hearts had
00:25:55 moment we felt like our hearts had broken in her head
00:26:02 at least we were able to tell them and to be with
00:26:43 sleepin angel he was we let him go with the doves so I can fly high and free my
00:27:00 the doves so I can fly high and free my friend once told us that God gives his hardest battles his strongest soldiers
00:27:18 only this has been our hardest battle
00:27:27 our we're proud of him even though he was only with us for seven months pacer knees always gonna be a part of us you
00:27:47 knees always gonna be a part of us you never know where you are made of until your broken
00:27:57 I'm not gonna tell you this my wife she's made of the hardest material I know I'm about her strength and courage
00:28:10 know I'm about her strength and courage soul not beer
00:28:32 I might be doing two talking but she's the one that's always rock-solid
00:28:44 we love our son they always will do it's very very clear from what you've been saying thank you for coming and telling
00:28:55 saying thank you for coming and telling us I think we'll take a few moments if we may just to think about what we've heard and for those who remember Logan to remember him thank you thank you very
00:29:09 to remember him thank you thank you very much that was very moving and it must been very difficult for you and I'm very grateful that you came to tell us about Logan thank you so much thank you just
00:29:20 Logan thank you so much thank you just take a moment just take a moment to
00:29:39 now there's going to be a five-minute break while we change around so people may want to stretch their legs if they may but we I'll be rearranging things for the next five minutes and then we
00:29:51 for the next five minutes and then we will hear the commemoration for Dennis Murphy can I rise for five minutes would that be the most convenient
00:38:14 yeah
00:38:17 you
00:38:42 you
00:39:14 you'll see that we've
00:39:26 you
00:40:36 so we're now going to hear a commemoration on behalf of Dennis Murphy from flat 111 and I think the first
00:40:47 from flat 111 and I think the first speaker is going to be Ann Marie is that correct who's his sister good morning we
00:40:58 correct who's his sister good morning we could start as we did before with you just introducing who's with us on the stage this is my mom Dennis's mom this is Dennis's ex-wife who became remained
00:41:11 is Dennis's ex-wife who became remained his lifelong friend this is Peter Dennis's son an only child and this is my brother Tim Dennis's brother all very welcome and thank you for coming I think
00:41:23 welcome and thank you for coming I think what you're going to do is read a statement Flores is that correct yes well again as I've said before there was absolutely no rush take your time and pause a person when you need to I am
00:41:39 pause a person when you need to I am Marie Murphy speaking on behalf of the Murphy family will say as follows Dennis was born on the 10th of October 1960 in Queen Charlotte's Hospital in
00:41:50 Queen Charlotte's Hospital in Hammersmith mum says he was born with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face and he kept this trademark throughout his life Dennis was the proud
00:42:01 throughout his life Dennis was the proud son of our Murphy and was the eldest of four children he has two brothers Nick and Tim and I'm his sister Anne and was fondly called by Dennis little sis
00:42:13 fondly called by Dennis little sis Dennis spent his early years living in North Kensington until 1968 when he was eight years old the family moved to Dorking in Surrey until 1971 when the
00:42:26 Dorking in Surrey until 1971 when the family moved again to Gravesend Kent we attended a Catholic primary and secondary school and Dennis excelled in the subjects history maths he also
00:42:37 the subjects history maths he also participated in other activities such as the school choir being an altar boy and joining the Sea Cadets there was one other passion throughout Dennis's young
00:42:48 other passion throughout Dennis's young life
00:42:49 life that was to override everything else and that was his love of sports especially football in which he became a skilled player cross-country running and
00:43:00 player cross-country running and distance running he ran for the score and district in 1500 meter races and went on to win many medals and trophies for his sporting achievements my brother
00:43:12 for his sporting achievements my brother Mick often tells the story of when he lost his bus fare at school and Dennis put Mick on the bus with his bus fare and then then ran home after the bus
00:43:23 and then then ran home after the bus which was a distance of 5 miles at that time dennis was only 10 years old as our father did not feature in our
00:43:34 as our father did not feature in our lives from a young age Dennis took on the responsibility of not only being our big brother but also carrying out the role of a dad to us he had a strong set
00:43:45 role of a dad to us he had a strong set of principles and values which he adhered to and instilled in us his siblings to follow also these included who have manners to show respect to
00:43:56 who have manners to show respect to others to help and care for others and to love each other in fact he taught us and nurtured us to grow into the adults we are today when Dennis left school in 1977 the
00:44:10 when Dennis left school in 1977 the family moved back to West London and lived just off Portobello Road when mom still lives to this day Dennis went on to take up a trade in painting and
00:44:22 to take up a trade in painting and decorating and worked hard until he was unable to do so due to health conditions Dennis continued to play football into his adult life and went for trials for
00:44:34 his adult life and went for trials for Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace he didn't make the grade in professional football but continued to play football for Sunday League teams until his 30s when a cartilage injury forced him to
00:44:47 when a cartilage injury forced him to give it up Dennis had such a caring nature and this was evident in his voluntary work he used to do with adults with learning disabilities supporting
00:44:58 with learning disabilities supporting them to access activities in the community
00:45:01 community and he got a real sense of achievement from doing this when Dennis was 22 he met his future wife JC and in 1984 they
00:45:13 met his future wife JC and in 1984 they got to flack together in Grenville Tower they went on to have a son Peter together in 1989 who is Dennis's only child when Peter was 7 months old they
00:45:24 child when Peter was 7 months old they moved to a house in mitchum Surrey and when Peter was 4 they moved to a house in Tooting Denison Tracey eventually divorced but stayed good friends and
00:45:35 divorced but stayed good friends and Dennis decided to move back to North Kensington to be near mum he then got another flat in Granville tower before 1997 and this was on the 11th floor
00:45:47 1997 and this was on the 11th floor which was later to become the 14th floor Denis remained living there until his untimely and tragic death Denis was a
00:45:58 untimely and tragic death Denis was a loving son father brother uncle friend and our hero he was the linchpin of our family and touched the lives of so many
00:46:09 family and touched the lives of so many people once you had met Dennis you would never forget his warmth wit cheeky smile and love of life Dennis had three
00:46:20 and love of life Dennis had three biggest loves in his life family friends and Chelsea Football Club and not always in that order Denis was at the heart of our family and
00:46:31 Denis was at the heart of our family and his love for all of us was unconditional this was as far-reaching as his aunts uncles and cousins here and in Ireland and also his nieces nephews great nieces
00:46:43 and also his nieces nephews great nieces and great nephews Dennis also had many many friends he cared deeply for and if you were lucky enough to have known him you had a special place in his heart for
00:46:54 you had a special place in his heart for always a great source of comfort to us as a family since Dennis's death is hearing the wonderful stories about him from people that we have never met
00:47:05 from people that we have never met before telling the stories of how they knew Dennis and the impact he had had on their lives all of these stories are test
00:47:14 test to the qualities he possessed some of these were loyalty caring selflessness and his non-judgmental approach to everyone he never met a story we'd like
00:47:27 everyone he never met a story we'd like to share with you it's a conversation we had with Dennis at a family gathering where he told us he had become a member of unites the bus Union we all laughed
00:47:38 of unites the bus Union we all laughed and said to him you can't be serious you can't drive a car let alone a bus well he was serious as we were to find out after his death when we received a phone
00:47:51 after his death when we received a phone call and an email from the union Unite sending their condolences and explaining why Dennis had joined the Union the reasons being that he wanted to be a
00:48:02 reasons being that he wanted to be a part of the campaign to make his voice and the voice of his community in Grenville tower hurt because we truly know that Dennis loved his community one
00:48:16 know that Dennis loved his community one of the proudest moments in Dennis's adult life was when his son Peter graduated from university one of his not so proudest moments was the day Peter
00:48:27 so proudest moments was the day Peter became a Tottenham supporter as Dennis was a fanatical Chelsea fan him and Peter had lots of light-hearted disagreements about their respective
00:48:39 disagreements about their respective football clubs and Dennis took great delight whenever Chelsea beat Tottenham Denis had been going to Chelsea games since he was a teenager and even traveled a number of times to Europe to
00:48:52 traveled a number of times to Europe to see them play although Dennis had health issues in his later years this didn't hold him back from his thirst for life and he spent his time
00:49:05 thirst for life and he spent his time helping out at a local boxing club watching his beloved Chelsea as well as other sports and visiting mum on a daily basis
00:49:14 basis mum would get great pleasure in these visits and the daily highlight for her was cooking him his dinner after she had given him a list of errands to do
00:49:26 given him a list of errands to do asides from visiting and ringing mum daily Dennis also had a ritual of ringing his son Peter his brothers Mick and Tim and myself on a set day every
00:49:37 and Tim and myself on a set day every week we would have our chats with him and when the call came to a close Dennis would always end it with lovely son love you mum love you brother
00:49:48 son love you mum love you brother love you sis and we would always say love you to him too in the early hours of the 14th of June 2017 at
00:50:01 of the 14th of June 2017 at approximately 1:30 a.m. my brother Tim was to receive the last phone call he would have with Dennis informing him that there was a fire in his block of flats Granville Tower Tim never imagined
00:50:14 flats Granville Tower Tim never imagined that this would be the last time that he would get to speak to Dennis at 2:32 a.m. Peter and myself spoke to Dennis and reassured him that we were on our
00:50:26 and reassured him that we were on our way to him also never imagining that we wouldn't ever get to see or speak to him again
00:50:33 again other people always featured first and foremost in Dennis's life and sometimes you had to look beyond the strength he showed to understand the worry and
00:50:44 showed to understand the worry and vulnerability beneath when we look back at the life he lived and the challenges he overcame we really can't think of a better role model to have had
00:51:07 ever since dennis has been gone there's a gaping hole in our hearts that can never be filled and it hurts it really hurts we can't imagine a day when it
00:51:18 hurts we can't imagine a day when it won't hurt any less the pain loss and sorrow we feel is indescribable and has left us devastated we as a family feel strongly that there is no reason in the
00:51:30 strongly that there is no reason in the world why anyone should have death forced upon them in such an horrific way and the day Dennis died a part of all of us died too to us
00:51:42 us died too to us Dennis was an inspiration and we feel lucky and blessed that he was a part of our family his warmth enough will stay with us forever and he has left behind an everlasting legacy there are three
00:52:00 an everlasting legacy there are three things that nobody can eradicate from our lives one the memories we hold of Dennis so dear because he does not cease to be because he has become memories too
00:52:14 to be because he has become memories too the only possessions we have left of his now which are a recovered handful of coins so poignant to us as he would give you his last pennies if you ever needed
00:52:25 you his last pennies if you ever needed them and three that we feel in walk beside us each and every day to us his family he really was our hero he is our
00:52:36 family he really was our hero he is our hero and he will always be our hero thank you
00:52:44 [Applause] we'll now take a few moments if we may just to think about what we've heard and
00:52:55 just to think about what we've heard and to allow those who knew Dennis to remember him quietly
00:53:31 thank you very much for that very moving tribute you could wait for a second I'll get I'll ask the judge if he give us five more minutes there is a very large
00:53:42 five more minutes there is a very large amounts of rescaling to do for the next prize
00:54:01 you
00:58:12 yes so we're now moving to the commemoration for sub air there there the commemorations are in fact going to
00:58:23 the commemorations are in fact going to be read by mr. Martin how mr. David how solicitors for the family good morning gentlemen perhaps you before we start like to introduce who we have in front
00:58:35 like to introduce who we have in front of us we have a lo please forgive me I think they might be a problem it's just
00:58:46 think they might be a problem it's just checking whether we need microphones but and I think we're okay if we do for any reason I've got one here okay perhaps you to introduce who with okay so we have Sabbath two nephews horas and masih
00:59:00 have Sabbath two nephews horas and masih in the middle we have subbers wife flora beside flora we have Sabbath son Farhad and then at the end we have servers
00:59:13 and then at the end we have servers brother Arif well you're all very welcome I think there are three indeed commemorations to read and perhaps you
00:59:24 commemorations to read and perhaps you tell us who we're going to hear from each time and take your time as well you know and the reason that the family are
00:59:36 know and the reason that the family are sitting in front here because flora has some ability issues and the family wants to be solidly beside her all these are being rendered your uncharacteristic be
00:59:47 being rendered your uncharacteristic be quiet mr. ham I okay I'd like to bring that slightly more towards you I guess you read a commemoration tribute words
00:59:58 you read a commemoration tribute words on behalf of Sarah's brother Arif
01:00:06 severe was not only my brother but my best friend the only sibling I had here in the United Kingdom we did everything
01:00:17 in the United Kingdom we did everything together
01:00:18 together when we were kids and even till he died we would always make decisions together being so close in age meant and as kids we grew up playing fighting and arguing
01:00:32 we grew up playing fighting and arguing but more importantly we grew up loving and favouring each other over our other siblings the bond we had was unbreakable
01:00:43 siblings the bond we had was unbreakable a bond like no other we shared our times of trouble of sickness and hardship but most importantly we shared our happiness
01:00:57 our kids grew up together and they are like brother and sister a relationship that we had and I still am proud of losing Sabbath was like my world came
01:01:11 losing Sabbath was like my world came crashing down I'd faced many blows in life losing many family members but this was the worst the way in which the fire happened his death and the sudden
01:01:24 happened his death and the sudden severity of it all left me with so many questions and a big void in my life which I have still not come to terms with we spoke many times a week but on
01:01:37 with we spoke many times a week but on this particular day of all days we didn't speak not knowing we didn't know what was gonna happen later that night
01:01:48 this was Ramadan and we had broke our fast as a family something that surrett had done that nice too we went to bed not knowing was what was
01:02:02 we went to bed not knowing was what was about to happen I was oblivious to everything that was going on that night I switched my phone to airplane mode on the night so that I don't be disturbed I did that on the same night
01:02:16 it was roughly at a quarter past three in the morning when the call came through from my daughter to her mother which she told us what was happening
01:02:29 Farhad had called my daughter fat Erna and was repeatedly saying as our flat is on fire and I can't find my dad he had
01:02:43 on fire and I can't find my dad he had told her they were out but Sabbath was nowhere to be seen I can't find my dad with far heads struggling to breathe and that's all being so shocked and confused as to what
01:02:55 being so shocked and confused as to what was happening my son-in-law brought his car around and we me he immediately set off from Leeds towards London to try and find my brother
01:03:08 after drive that seemed never-ending we arrived in London and went straight the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where Farhad had been admitted trying to
01:03:19 Farhad had been admitted trying to comfort him and looking at him laid there in the condition he was in I did know how to handle my emotions what was I to do but I stay there with him and
01:03:30 I to do but I stay there with him and comfort him as I go and look for Savard who was still missing pretty soon the search began within an hour or so all
01:03:41 search began within an hour or so all family members were surrounding us and everyone we knew was out searching for savage searching hospitals the fire site the community centers churches mosques
01:03:53 the community centers churches mosques anywhere where we might have found him where he might have been taken to all in the hope that we would find him find my
01:04:04 the hope that we would find him find my brother hours went by days went by we never lost hope always hoping and praying he was unconscious in a hospital
01:04:15 praying he was unconscious in a hospital or somewhere else anywhere as long as he was alive we never lost hope and tried to reassure fired at the time flora was in a bad way unconscious and very ill
01:04:28 in a bad way unconscious and very ill we had to be there for Farhad at a time when neither his mum nor his dad could be around to help him I was always by
01:04:41 be around to help him I was always by his side all through his hospital stay I see my brother in fired and this gave me an immense amounts of comfort and calm in what was a horrific situation to be
01:04:54 in what was a horrific situation to be in because after Farhad was discharged and days went by that the police asked us for DNA from Farhad this was when the
01:05:09 us for DNA from Farhad this was when the fear kicked in the uncertainty and the heartbreak that maybe we were not going to see or hear from severe again maybe
01:05:21 to see or hear from severe again maybe we had actually lost him pretty soon after our worst fears were confirmed and my brother was now a victim of the
01:05:32 my brother was now a victim of the Grenfell fire my best friend my brother my role model taken away from me in such a way that has left a great big hole in
01:05:44 a way that has left a great big hole in my heart a void that can never be filled I spent the next few weeks in London staying with Farhad and making the
01:05:55 staying with Farhad and making the funeral arrangements with him now we are almost at the year anniversary of the fire and there are still so many
01:06:06 fire and there are still so many unanswered questions the only thing I know is that my brother was a hero he gave up his life for his family and for others he sacrificed himself in that
01:06:18 others he sacrificed himself in that fire in order to put others first that is just the brave and selfless person that he was and that is a memory of him
01:06:29 that he was and that is a memory of him that I will hold in my heart for as long as I live I will ensure that I am there for fired and I am there
01:06:41 for fired and I am there flora as that is what he would have wanted more than anything else he would have wanted for them to be happy and safe even when he can't be there to give
01:06:54 safe even when he can't be there to give them that I hope we can get more answers from this inquiry and more importantly justice for all those innocent people who also lost their lives in this fire
01:07:08 who also lost their lives in this fire including my brother seven I think the second commemoration he's going to be read by you this is a
01:07:23 going to be read by you this is a statement on behalf of Farhad Neda severe son
01:07:29 my dad was a unique person I spent nearly all my life before the fire with my family living on the top floor of
01:07:41 my family living on the top floor of Grenfell tower at flat 205 on the 23rd floor we are a very close and happy family I grew up in a safe home full of
01:07:55 family I grew up in a safe home full of love and full of laughter my dad loved life and loved meeting people he would get along with almost everyone no matter
01:08:07 get along with almost everyone no matter what age color sex or religion they were he would treat everyone the way he wanted to be treated himself with
01:08:20 wanted to be treated himself with respect and for this reason he was loved by so many he was a man of deep integrity and fairness within the
01:08:33 integrity and fairness within the community of Grenfell tower my dad was well-liked by neighbors and friends in the tower and in the 18 years that we lived in Grenfell there was never a bad
01:08:46 lived in Grenfell there was never a bad word said about him my dad came to the UK in 1998 with my mom me I was only about five years old but I
01:09:00 me I was only about five years old but I can remember from the moment that he set foot in the UK and he found himself a job and worked hard until the day he passed away he was the sort of person
01:09:13 passed away he was the sort of person who would never complain about work I would never take a day off for being sick I always remember him saying to me that the day that he stops working will
01:09:25 that the day that he stops working will be the day that he truly is sick for the last 10 to 15 years of his life my dad worked as a chauffeur he would always wake up in the morning put on a smart
01:09:38 wake up in the morning put on a smart suit and go to work dad would dress smartly even on days that he didn't have a client booking he loved dressing well
01:09:50 a client booking he loved dressing well which was evident from his wardrobe which was mainly filled with suits and large collections of ties in all colors and patterns with his with his smart
01:10:03 and patterns with his with his smart dress code and his unique character my father built a large customer portfolio for his own show for business which included many VIPs in the many years
01:10:17 included many VIPs in the many years that we lived in Grenville tower we got to know almost all our neighbors from a young age I remember my dad being friendly with all our neighbors and he would say hi to all of them whenever
01:10:30 would say hi to all of them whenever they would pass each other my dad would always encourage me from a young age to always greet our neighbors as he believed that this was a way of showing
01:10:41 believed that this was a way of showing respect to them it was thanks to this lesson from my dad that I became friends with so many people in the tower as a
01:10:53 with so many people in the tower as a teenager I went to Holland Park secondary school in West London and my dad took me to school most days in his car my dad always encouraged me to do
01:11:05 car my dad always encouraged me to do well as I as well as I could in my studies
01:11:09 studies he never put any pressure on me but he always took a kindly interest in all that I was learning dad would listen intently when I would explain to him
01:11:21 intently when I would explain to him what we were learning in school he gave me all the support he could to help me make a success of my schooling he also
01:11:32 make a success of my schooling he also encouraged me and supported me in interests outside of school I started to learn the skills of Taekwondo at a young age and my dad would bring me to my
01:11:43 age and my dad would bring me to my classes and wait for me to finish he was always watching me as I trained I became good at the sport and I started competing in Taekwondo and around the
01:11:55 competing in Taekwondo and around the age of 8 at Kensington Leisure Centre my father encouraged me in the sport and never complained about the long distances he had to drive he happily
01:12:06 distances he had to drive he happily took me everywhere as I competed all over Britain at the age of 15 I made it into the British Taekwondo squad I was
01:12:17 into the British Taekwondo squad I was selected to compete in the European Championships in Poland as always dad was by my side he travelled with me to support me and look after me we stayed
01:12:30 support me and look after me we stayed together in the team hotel through my father's encouragement I achieved second down in Taekwondo and I have won more than 25 medals in varying colours of
01:12:43 than 25 medals in varying colours of bronze silver and gold in both national and international competitions my dad worked hard to support me in this sport
01:12:54 worked hard to support me in this sport to the extent that regardless of working a night shift he would not hesitate in coming home in the morning after that nightshift picking me up and driving me
01:13:06 nightshift picking me up and driving me to competitions dotted all around the country I know that he was very proud of me in my achievements in Taekwondo my father and I were a great team together
01:13:18 father and I were a great team together I felt so close to my dad he was my best friend
01:13:23 friend and is the man I admire most on one trip we went to Sweden where I was competing in the Viking Cup and this too is a
01:13:36 in the Viking Cup and this too is a really treasured moment together we visited many countries for the first time and I felt completely supported and safe with my dad beside me unfortunately
01:13:49 safe with my dad beside me unfortunately all the medals and all the photographs I had taken alongside dad at these international competitions were lost in the flames of Grenfell we also traveled
01:14:03 the flames of Grenfell we also traveled as a family on many occasions to Holland in Germany where my mother and father have brothers and sisters I met my fiance in Holland and one month prior to the fire my parents and I were
01:14:15 prior to the fire my parents and I were in Holland preparing for my wedding I can still hear my dad's advice to me telling me that I should concentrate on raising the deposit for a house and that
01:14:27 raising the deposit for a house and that I was not to worry about the cost of the wedding as he was happy to pay for it all as a family we celebrated my engagement to my fiance in December 2016
01:14:40 engagement to my fiance in December 2016 and my dad had told me how proud he was of me and my fiance it causes us both deep pain to think that my dad will not be there at our wedding it hurts so much
01:14:52 be there at our wedding it hurts so much to think that he will not hold his future grandchildren in his arms as he has held and protected me I graduated
01:15:03 has held and protected me I graduated from Kingston University with a BSc in engineering in January 2017 and it was so clear from the smile on my father's face that he was very proud of my
01:15:14 face that he was very proud of my achievements he had always emphasized the need for education and my graduation with a degree in engineering was the icing on the cake at the graduation
01:15:27 icing on the cake at the graduation ceremony dad proceeded to buy all the official photographers photographs of me even though I told him that it was unnecessary he replied by saying nonsense son you
01:15:41 he replied by saying nonsense son you only graduate once my dad made sure the photos took pride of place in our home they were all destroyed in the fire I
01:15:53 was fortunate enough to work alongside my dad in the business which he had set up for high ends chauffeuring he gave me the flexibility to be able to learn to
01:16:04 the flexibility to be able to learn to study and to earn money to support myself he was always there to take the pressure off me when it all got too much he would happily take on work that had
01:16:16 he would happily take on work that had been allocated to me in order that I could concentrate on my exams which were happening at that time dad always put me first he never thought of himself before
01:16:30 first he never thought of himself before my mum or me my dad was the sort of person who would help anyone who needed help he would always put others before
01:16:41 help he would always put others before himself
01:16:42 himself no matter who they were if a person asked my dad for help of any kind he would sometimes thinks think for days of a way in which he could help that person my dad was a calm and very kind man I
01:16:57 my dad was a calm and very kind man I think if you ask anyone about my dad you will find no one who will say a bad word about him I am sure that they would all mention how he was always smiling and that it was he was always a pleasure to
01:17:11 that it was he was always a pleasure to be around he has left everyone with very happy memories and dad will not only be dearly missed by us his family but he will also be missed by many other people
01:17:23 will also be missed by many other people because he touched their lives and had a positive impact on them since my father's death I have missed him so very
01:17:34 father's death I have missed him so very much every day when I returned to work after the fire I felt under a lot of pressure I felt overwhelmed I felt that I could not support my mum and that I
01:17:46 I could not support my mum and that I could not deal with all the consequences of the fire I could not continue to run his business I was in a state of deep despair and shock however one night
01:18:00 deep despair and shock however one night I dreamt about my dad and he came to me in my sleep and he told me in his calm voice don't worry son I'm behind you thinking about
01:18:15 worry son I'm behind you thinking about my dad I'm trying to do everything I can to be there for my mom and to honor my dad's example has given me the strength to carry on even though it is so
01:18:26 to carry on even though it is so difficult
01:18:28 difficult my dad is daily loved and he is sorely missed my dad will never be forgotten and I know that he will be looking after
01:18:40 and I know that he will be looking after us he will always be behind us
01:18:47 [Applause]
01:18:58 [Applause] there's one more statement to be read two things I think we'll just take a second or two to let everybody just gather themselves and just find out whether or not anybody needs some water
01:19:14 yes I think Martin the other thing is that this third tribute is going to be
01:19:26 that this third tribute is going to be followed by a recording which contains surveyors voice is that correct that is corrected and will be followed by the last phone message that Sabah left left
01:19:40 last phone message that Sabah left left his brother-in-law
01:19:51 I'm reading the statements on behalf of flora Neda said of his wife now widow
01:20:02 for almost 20 years we lived happily together in flat 205 on the 23rd floor the top floor of Grenfell tower we lived there with our son Farhad we were both
01:20:17 there with our son Farhad we were both born in Afghanistan and grew up there we met in Kabul in 1989 I had finished my university degree and was teaching in
01:20:29 my university degree and was teaching in a primary school in Kabul my school colleague and best friend introduced severe to me he was her brother-in-law I was 26 years of age at the time and
01:20:42 I was 26 years of age at the time and severe was 28 he had just returned from what was formerly known as Czechoslovakia after two years of training in the Afghan army when he
01:20:54 training in the Afghan army when he returned to Afghanistan he was part of the training team for new recruits within the Afghan army he was a high-ranking army officer this was love
01:21:07 high-ranking army officer this was love at first sight which was at that time difficult given the traditions of Afghan society my father did not take so severe
01:21:19 society my father did not take so severe immediately I took my father two years to give his approval to our marriage we were married in 1991 in Kabul we were
01:21:30 were married in 1991 in Kabul we were together as husband and wife for over 27 years our one and only child our son Farhad was born in Kabul in
01:21:42 our son Farhad was born in Kabul in March 1993 and I remember how happy and how proud severe was that he was the father of a baby boy it was forbidden at
01:21:54 father of a baby boy it was forbidden at that time to have men at the birth of their children in Afghanistan and I remember holding our newborns I'm fired up at the hospital window so
01:22:06 I'm fired up at the hospital window so that Sevilla could see him from two floors below I could see my husband's beaming smile when he saw us the nurse
01:22:18 beaming smile when he saw us the nurse said the hospital told me how proud he was of the moments and severe being severe he'd given all the nurses money to celebrate the birth of my son they
01:22:30 to celebrate the birth of my son they were overjoyed however Afghanistan was moving into dark times and we went from the tyranny of the Mujahideen to the oppression of the Taliban on accounts of Sabres position
01:22:42 Taliban on accounts of Sabres position within the Afghan army we were told as he was being targeted and thus our lives as a family were in danger at the same time the school where
01:22:54 danger at the same time the school where I worked was closed down by the Taliban and they forbade any women from working for such an oppressive time and a dangerous time we therefore had to take
01:23:06 dangerous time we therefore had to take the decision to flee from our country and we sought refuge here in the United Kingdom as it is a country known around the world for its respect for human
01:23:19 the world for its respect for human rights and for fairness we arrived in the UK in 1998 and this country gave us protection we were recognized as a
01:23:30 protection we were recognized as a refugee family and we were very proud to become British citizens five years later
01:23:40 the majority of both surveys and my family had to flee Afghanistan because of the persecution our siblings have settled in the United States in
01:23:52 have settled in the United States in Holland and in Germany given how close Holland and Germany is so here we spent many happy holidays and his family visiting our loved ones in both of those
01:24:03 visiting our loved ones in both of those countries severe comes from a big family he was one of ten children he was very close she was younger brother
01:24:15 close she was younger brother Arif who lives in Leeds and who as we have just heard has been greatly affected by the loss of his beloved brother severe always instilled the
01:24:31 brother severe always instilled the importance of education in our son Farhad as he did in all areas of his life
01:24:37 life severe led by example he immediately started attending English classes on our arrival in the UK and also enrolled in computer classes he always tried to
01:24:51 computer classes he always tried to better himself my husband was a very hard-working man and in the early years of being here he was more than happy to do any work that he could find in order
01:25:02 do any work that he could find in order to support me and Farhad this work included cleaning delivering pizzas and driving he did some mini cab driving for
01:25:13 driving he did some mini cab driving for an employer and subsequently set up his own show for business he was extremely proud of his business and we were proud of him sirwhere ran his own chauffeuring
01:25:26 of him sirwhere ran his own chauffeuring business for the last ten years of his life and was so pleased when our son fired joined him in the family business I was really happy seeing my husband and
01:25:37 I was really happy seeing my husband and my son going to work together and working alongside each other severe was known to all his customers as being an honest and caring man it was a
01:25:49 honest and caring man it was a reflection of his standing that so many of his customers came to his funeral service funeral was packed there was literally no standing room available my
01:26:04 literally no standing room available my son's cousin in Holland had posted a video on the internet almost immediately after the fire asking if anyone had seen sever it was a very difficult time for
01:26:15 sever it was a very difficult time for the family following the fire I was in a coma and hospitalized Farhad was also in a coma and being treated in a different Hospital our wider family members did
01:26:27 Hospital our wider family members did not know
01:26:29 not know was it happened to seven they did not know if he was dead or alive the cousin received a call from someone in Holland who felt so moved to call him because he
01:26:41 who felt so moved to call him because he had once been driven by my husband from Heathrow Airport to London and even though he had only been in Serbia's company for a short period of time in the car
01:26:51 the car he had the very clear impression that he was a good and kindly person and wanted to say that Sarah had that kind of effect on people he was loved by family
01:27:04 effect on people he was loved by family he was loved by his friends he was loved by his neighbors and customers alike he was a much-loved and very popular man we
01:27:17 was a much-loved and very popular man we were delighted when we were offered a flat at Grenville tower back in 1999 and we were both very proud of our home my husband and I dated our fact regularly and we had very many happy times in
01:27:30 and we had very many happy times in there together we were a close community at Greenville tower and our door was always open to our neighbors sadly we
01:27:42 always open to our neighbors sadly we have lost many friends and neighbors in the fire including two young girls on our floor who would regularly come into our flat to see us they always came in
01:27:54 our flat to see us they always came in to look at the tropical fish tank in which we had in our flat looking back over the most recent times in Sarah's
01:28:05 over the most recent times in Sarah's life I would say that the two proudest moments were first being at the engagement party of our son fired in December 2016
01:28:16 Sarah was looking forward to the marriage of our son it was lovely fiancee Nostrum and of course he was looking forward to everything there was to lie ahead for our son and perhaps a
01:28:28 to lie ahead for our son and perhaps a future filled with grandchildren in our lives second recent moments that had made my husband so proud was being at
01:28:39 made my husband so proud was being at our son's university graduation in January 2017 survey was so filled with pride over what if I had had achieved in his young life and it is
01:28:53 achieved in his young life and it is because of the support love and father do direction which Sabah gave to fired if I had was able to make and get those
01:29:04 if I had was able to make and get those achievements it is just so sad that my beloved husband will not be with us that far has wedding and will not be there to
01:29:17 far has wedding and will not be there to see and hold his grandchildren or share in the joy of becoming a grandparents those hopes and our dreams have been
01:29:28 those hopes and our dreams have been shattered the chance to enjoy such special moments as a close loving family have been taken away from Sarah and there is a heavy sense of loss within
01:29:42 there is a heavy sense of loss within our hearts which will never ever go away Serbia had always been there for all of us he never complained and he always did
01:29:56 us he never complained and he always did everything with a smile he was my husband he was my best friend I miss him so much he will always be the love of my
01:30:11 so much he will always be the love of my life
01:30:14 [Applause]
01:30:25 I think we're now going to hear that last recording
01:31:12 so that concludes that particular part of the tribute so I see that it's 20 to
01:31:24 of the tribute so I see that it's 20 to 1 I wouldn't want the next people to through in any way rush can I invite you perhaps to break now until 2 o'clock we shall do that then I'll rise now we'll
01:31:35 shall do that then I'll rise now we'll break until 2 o'clock thank you very much
01:31:50 you