Opening statements from legal representatives of bereaved families and survivors, addressing Mr. Kebede's actions on the night, the refurbishment, media intrusion, and systemic issues of social housing, race, and class.
00:00:09 good morning everyone we're going to continue hearing opening statements from there is core participants and this morning we're going to begin with mr. Menon who's appearing on behalf of mr.
00:00:23 Menon who's appearing on behalf of mr. comedians right yesterday good morning the hi Luca they'd a had been living in flat 16 on the fourth floor of Granville tower for some 25
00:00:36 floor of Granville tower for some 25 years
00:00:37 years we're not long before 1 a.m. on the 14th of June last year he was awoken by a beeping sound it was coming from the
00:00:48 beeping sound it was coming from the kitchen he realized it must be the smoke alone
00:00:53 alone he opened the kitchen door and looked inside for just a few seconds what he saw was smoke it seemed to be coming
00:01:04 saw was smoke it seemed to be coming from behind his Hotpoint fridge freezer it seemed to be spreading upward and outward he did not see any flames mr.
00:01:17 outward he did not see any flames mr. Cobb a day acted quickly and instinctively he grabbed his mobile phone from the living room and dialed 999 he was not able to connect
00:01:30 999 he was not able to connect immediately he had to make a number of calls before he was actually able to speak to an operator meanwhile he banged on the bedroom doors of his flatmates
00:01:43 on the bedroom doors of his flatmates Alma's keen foo and Elsa off a walkie and shouted fire fire fire he then banged on the front doors of the five other flats on the fourth floor he
00:01:57 five other flats on the fourth floor he waited until somebody opened each door and again shouted fire fire fire having warned all his neighbors on the fourth floor
00:02:07 floor mr. kabaddi returned to flat 16 which doff the main electricity switch in the hallway and put on some trousers he left his home for the very last time
00:02:21 he left his home for the very last time shutting the front door behind him all he had on his person were the clothes he was wearing and the mobile phone with
00:02:32 was wearing and the mobile phone with which he was calling 999 he left barefoot without any shoes he left without his wallet his flat keys and his
00:02:43 without his wallet his flat keys and his car keys he took the stairs down and exited the building he did not pack a suitcase and leave with it after raising the alarm a nasty lie that was first
00:02:58 the alarm a nasty lie that was first reported in the days after the fire and sadly continues to be peddled nearly a year later most recently in a lengthy
00:03:09 year later most recently in a lengthy article called the tower published in the 7th of June 2018 issue of the London Review of Books in short the high-low
00:03:22 Review of Books in short the high-low cabaret did exactly what gran felt our residents who discovered a fire in their flat were told to do by the fire action notice posted outside the lifts he
00:03:35 notice posted outside the lifts he telephoned the fire brigade on 999 and informed the operator that there was a fire at flat 16 Grenfell tower London w111 1 TG he left his flat promptly
00:03:49 w111 1 TG he left his flat promptly shutting the door behind him and he used the stairs to go down and exit the building
00:03:54 building indeed mr. Kabaddi went further than the fire action note is instructed to his enormous credit he also made sure that everybody else on the fourth floor had
00:04:06 everybody else on the fourth floor had been warned about the fire and only when he believed that nobody else was left on the floor
00:04:12 the floor did he himself leave and make his way downstairs when he got outside mr. Kaveri anxiously awaited the arrival of the fire brigade when they got there
00:04:25 the fire brigade when they got there soon
00:04:25 soon after he immediately told a firefighter what he had seen in his kitchen a number of firefighters then entered the tower and headed upstairs for the fourth floor
00:04:37 and headed upstairs for the fourth floor to his horror mr. kabiri watched as a few minutes later and despite the efforts of the firefighters the fire managed to exit his flat in the vicinity
00:04:49 managed to exit his flat in the vicinity of the kitchen window take hold of the external facade and spread upwards on the east side of the building of the with great speed and fury mr. kabiri
00:05:01 with great speed and fury mr. kabiri took a number of photographs and videos on his mobile phone all of which he later gave the police he desperately wanted to do more to help his neighbors
00:05:12 wanted to do more to help his neighbors and friends but what practically could he do he felt utterly helpless subsequently as we know the fire continued to grow and spread on all four
00:05:25 continued to grow and spread on all four sides externally and internally eventually consuming the entire building later that morning mr. kabaddi received a phone call from the police asking him
00:05:39 a phone call from the police asking him to attend the police station for interview notwithstanding that he had just had the most shocking frightening and traumatic experience of his life he
00:05:50 and traumatic experience of his life he did not hesitate and went straight to the police station and answered all their questions in the course of two separate interviews since then he has
00:06:01 separate interviews since then he has been approached on a number of further occasions by the police and has fully cooperated at all times it is important to stress given all the garbage that has
00:06:13 to stress given all the garbage that has been written about him this past year that mr. cabaret is a significant witness in the police investigation and not a criminal suspect in the days
00:06:26 not a criminal suspect in the days following the fire at grenfell tower whilst I'm trying to comprehend the enormity of what had transpired was trying to grieve for his friends
00:06:38 trying to grieve for his friends neighbors who had perished in the fire whilst trying to cope with increasing distress anxiety trauma and insomnia whilst trying to allay the
00:06:51 whilst trying to allay the understandable feelings of guilt he was experiencing given the fire had seemingly started in his kitchen mr. cabaret was subjected to a campaign
00:07:02 mr. cabaret was subjected to a campaign of what can only be described as harassment by sections of the media journalists turned up at his partners home trying to doorstep him he was
00:07:14 home trying to doorstep him he was bombarded with calls and texts from journalists offering him large amounts of money to sell his story even his Facebook friends were offered money to
00:07:25 Facebook friends were offered money to facilitate a meeting with him when he refused to engage with the media or accept their money old photos of him taken years ago whilst he was on holiday
00:07:39 taken years ago whilst he was on holiday were downloaded from Facebook and reproduced in several tabloid newspapers without any explanation as if he was enjoying himself in the aftermath of the
00:07:50 enjoying himself in the aftermath of the fire there was one particularly offensive article in The Daily Mail that seemed to scapegoat mr. kabadi for the fire itself within 24 hours that one
00:08:03 fire itself within 24 hours that one article was the subject of over a thousand complaints to the press watchdog from members of the public the calamitous events at Grenfell tower and
00:08:14 calamitous events at Grenfell tower and the subsequent media intrusion have had serious consequences for mr. cabaret and his family his partner in children felt unsafe in their home and were forced to
00:08:27 unsafe in their home and were forced to move out the police was so concerned about mr. kuberdas safety that they suggested witness protection relocation and a change of name and
00:08:38 relocation and a change of name and without going into any detail mr. kuberdas health has been so severely affected that he feels terrified and I use that word advisedly
00:08:49 use that word advisedly terrified about the prospect of being compelled to give oral evidence to this inquiry consequently we are most grateful for the indication that mr.
00:09:00 grateful for the indication that mr. millets gave in his opening statement that mr. kuberdas lengthy written witness statement will be read into the record in a fortnight's time and unless it proves necessary and
00:09:12 time and unless it proves necessary and his health permits it mr. kabiri will not be required to give oral evidence in September when the other bereaved survivors and residents are called finally on the topic of media intrusion
00:09:26 finally on the topic of media intrusion following the plane of the 999 call that he made on Monday there has been a renewed injection of press and public interest in mr. cabaret the same
00:09:37 interest in mr. cabaret the same photographs of mr kobera have been used yet again can I please use this opportunity to ask everyone but in particular the press to leave mr.
00:09:49 particular the press to leave mr. cabaret alone he is a good man he did nothing wrong on the contrary he did the right thing from start to finish now he
00:10:01 right thing from start to finish now he wants privacy for himself and his family he just wants to be given the opportunity to try and rebuild his life as best as he can now before I move on
00:10:14 as best as he can now before I move on and make some observations about the inquiry it's important that I address and clarify several matters about mr. kuberdas long life at a Grenville tower
00:10:27 kuberdas long life at a Grenville tower before the fire changed his life forever prior to the refurbishment that began in 2012 mr kobera loved living at grenfell
00:10:41 2012 mr kobera loved living at grenfell tower it was his first real home in the UK after he moved here from ethiopia he was so happy to be given accomodation by the council
00:10:52 the council he loved the strong bonds between the towers residents who came from all parts of the world he loved the neighborhood he loved his spacious flat he took great
00:11:04 he loved his spacious flat he took great pride in furnishing it himself the refurbishment however was another matter all-together mr. Kabaddi was not happy
00:11:15 all-together mr. Kabaddi was not happy and nobody he knew in the tower was happy there was no consultation there were many problems and complaints mr. Kabaddi personally had problems with
00:11:27 Kabaddi personally had problems with incorrectly fitted double glazed windows that left gaps between the frames and the concrete and with the removal of his old boiler in the installation of his new one many of his neighbor's
00:11:39 new one many of his neighbor's experienced multiple electrical problems that were apparently due to power surges mr. Kabaddi attended a number of residence meetings in the community hall
00:11:50 residence meetings in the community hall next to the tower and elsewhere what he never knew however was that a highly flammable fuel had been used to insulate and clad the exterior of the tower as
00:12:02 and clad the exterior of the tower as part of the refurbishment much has been written and said about mr. kuberdas Hotpoint fridge/freezer
00:12:14 Hotpoint fridge/freezer conspiracy theories and rumours abound so let me make the position absolutely clear there are seven points I wish to make one mr. Kabaddi bought the fridge
00:12:28 make one mr. Kabaddi bought the fridge freezer brand new over five years before the fire - other than when the fridge freezer needed defrosting it never caused him any problems three he never
00:12:44 caused him any problems three he never had to get it repaired by anybody else neither did he ever repair it or try to repair it himself for any speculation to
00:12:55 repair it himself for any speculation to the effect that the fridge freezer had been tampered with or subjected to an unauthorized DIY repair is palpable nonsense 5 whatever the precise cause or
00:13:09 nonsense 5 whatever the precise cause or origin of the fire in to Cabarrus kitchen it was accidental and mr. Kabaddi bears no responsibility directly or indirectly for the fire it
00:13:21 directly or indirectly for the fire it spread or the dreadful consequences that followed six if the fire did begin in the fridge freezer it is worth noting
00:13:32 the fridge freezer it is worth noting that contrary to popular belief accidental fires in fridges and freezers are not uncommon every year in the UK
00:13:43 are not uncommon every year in the UK there are around 300 domestic fires involving a fridge or a freezer with a number of common failures within the appliances leading to ignition in a
00:13:55 appliances leading to ignition in a particularly tragic case in 2011 six members of a family of eight including five children died in a fire at their home in Medan when the capacitor
00:14:07 home in Medan when the capacitor adjacent to the compressor in their whirlpool freezer failed and caught fire seven and finally the consumer body
00:14:18 seven and finally the consumer body which has recently carried out the largest industry-wide investigation in the UK into fridges and freezers on the market and found that many of the most
00:14:31 market and found that many of the most popular products are potentially unsafe and could put lives at risk the London Fire Brigade has also stated that many manufacturers are still
00:14:42 that many manufacturers are still dragging their heels on making fire safety improvements to fridges and freezers in the circumstances we entirely agree with mr. millet that in
00:14:54 entirely agree with mr. millet that in many respects the cause and origin of the fire may not be of primary importance and that the more pressing question from the perspective of the
00:15:05 question from the perspective of the public interest and public safety is how the fire penetrated the exterior envelope of the building from mr. kuberdas kitchen and thereafter spread so rapidly and ferociously we hope that
00:15:19 so rapidly and ferociously we hope that dr. Duncan Glover's reports on the electric appliances in flat 16 including the hot wine fridge freezer we'll put this matter to rest once and
00:15:30 we'll put this matter to rest once and for all turning then to the inquiry unsurprisingly mr. kuberdas hopes are
00:15:42 unsurprisingly mr. kuberdas hopes are similar to those of the other bereaved survivor survivors and residents they are similar to what was so movingly and
00:15:53 are similar to what was so movingly and powerfully articulated by so many who spoke during the commemorations the Cameron the commemorations we must not forget when first proposed by lawyers
00:16:05 forget when first proposed by lawyers for the bereaved were met in some quarters with skepticism and even opposition but ultimately they were embraced and rightly put the bereaved
00:16:17 embraced and rightly put the bereaved and the survivors at the very heart of this inquiry mr. Kubelik hopes that the inquiry having heard all the evidence will deliver real justice for the
00:16:29 will deliver real justice for the seventy-two who died their families and those who survived the fire and real accountability he hopes that despite being prohibited from determining
00:16:40 being prohibited from determining criminal or civil liability the inquiry will nevertheless make decisive findings and recommendations that will allow others to infer such liability decisive
00:16:54 others to infer such liability decisive findings as to which corporate and governmental core participants were responsible for those aspects of the refurbishment that transformed grenfell tower into what has been properly
00:17:05 tower into what has been properly characterized by others as a highly combustible deathtrap decisive findings as to which corporate and governmental core participants caused or contributed
00:17:16 core participants caused or contributed to an entirely foreseeable and preventable catastrophe in which a fire confined to a single compartment within the building was able to spread so easily and so quickly in multiple
00:17:30 easily and so quickly in multiple directions inside and outside the building with such devastating consequence when a more personal note sir mr. Kubelik hopes that having heard all the
00:17:41 Kubelik hopes that having heard all the evidence the inquiry will make a clear and unequivocal statement that mr. Cobb a day was absolutely blameless for the outbreak of the fire it spread in it's fatal consequences
00:17:53 it spread in it's fatal consequences this is vitally important if the inquiry does not explicitly exonerate mr. Cobb a day all the sleazy accusations and
00:18:04 day all the sleazy accusations and hurtful innuendo all the racist assumptions and ignorance about mr. Cobb a day that currently prevail will continue unabated the inquiry needs to
00:18:15 continue unabated the inquiry needs to set the record straight the inquiry needs to change the narrative about the hey Luke Kabaddi the inquiry needs to thank mr. Cobb a day for his prompt
00:18:26 thank mr. Cobb a day for his prompt effort that he made on the night to contact the fire brigade raised the alarm and warned his neighbors sitting on the fence in respect of mr. Cobb a day with the greatest respect will not
00:18:37 day with the greatest respect will not do in 2013 the Guardian published an article by a leading commentator entitled politicians who demand
00:18:49 entitled politicians who demand inquiries should be taken out and shot in short the article argued that inquiries defer blame they throw the ball into the long grass and kick the
00:19:00 ball into the long grass and kick the can down the road they merely replace the straight sure arrow of accountability with the crooked line of pseudo justice they are the establishments get out of
00:19:12 they are the establishments get out of jail card on behalf of the hi Luke abate a we hope that these words are not prophetic and that the author of this article is wrong insofar as the inquiry
00:19:23 article is wrong insofar as the inquiry into the grand felt our fire is concerned so far the governmental and corporate corpus whose conduct is under scrutiny who are in the frame for
00:19:35 scrutiny who are in the frame for criticism so to speak have been playing games with the inquiry they have been getting away to be frank with daylight robbery some have disengaged barely engaged as if by doing so they
00:19:48 barely engaged as if by doing so they might slip through the net those who have engaged have served mealy-mouthed position statements and opening statements that say nothing of real value none of them have taken any
00:20:00 value none of them have taken any responsibility whatsoever for their role in the creation of the highly combustible deathtrap that was the refurbished Granville Tower their strategy is clear keep your head down
00:20:12 strategy is clear keep your head down say as little as possible express sympathy admit nothing pass the buck pretend it is all very complicated minimize reputational damage
00:20:24 complicated minimize reputational damage and financial loss enough we say enough the time has come for action the comest time come the time has come to take away
00:20:35 time come the time has come to take away by any means necessary and available to this inquiry the get out of jail card that has been played so ruthlessly until now otherwise the inquiry like the Dame
00:20:46 now otherwise the inquiry like the Dame Hackett review will prove another wasted opportunity if not worse finally I turn to mr. Khan's bold submission yesterday
00:21:00 to mr. Khan's bold submission yesterday that the terms of reference of the inquiry should be extended to include consideration of whether race religion or social class had any bearing on what
00:21:12 or social class had any bearing on what led to the loss of life at Granville tower there was a tangible discomfort in the room yesterday when mr. Khan spoke about race and class the proverbial
00:21:24 about race and class the proverbial elephant in the room for what it's worth we agree with mr. Khan however given your refusal in August last year sir to broaden the scope of
00:21:37 last year sir to broaden the scope of the inquiry despite widespread support from those most affected by the fire we are realistic about the prospects of you changing your mind now at the end of the
00:21:48 changing your mind now at the end of the day whether you alter the terms of reference or not there are certain stock irrefutable facts that one simply cannot ignore about the
00:22:01 that one simply cannot ignore about the underlying social economic and political reality and conditions that culminated in 71 people dying from smoke and fire in a high-rise residential building and
00:22:12 in a high-rise residential building and a 70 second person dying a few months later in one of the richest boroughs in one of the world's great cities in one of the richest countries in the 21st
00:22:23 of the richest countries in the 21st century it is no coincidence that this fire occurred in a building consisting of social housing and former social housing purchased under the right to buy
00:22:34 housing purchased under the right to buy scheme and not in one of the many posh swanky high-rise residential buildings around London that cater to the extremely wealthy it is no coincidence
00:22:46 extremely wealthy it is no coincidence that this fire occurred in a building owned by a Tory flagship borough that has been at the forefront of promoting austerity cuts and deregulation and
00:22:58 austerity cuts and deregulation and prioritizing business and profit over health and safety just just a minute
00:23:10 health and safety just just a minute that's the first occasion on which anyone has thought it right to try and interrupt the proceedings now you all know that so far these proceedings have been conducted with a great deal of
00:23:22 been conducted with a great deal of dignity and sensitivity on the part of all those in the hearing room and I expect it to continue in that way and I'm not willing to tolerate shouting
00:23:33 I'm not willing to tolerate shouting calling out or anything else from those in the room I said now because it's the first occasion on which it's happened I want to make that very clear out of respect for the proceedings and for the
00:23:46 respect for the proceedings and for the person addressing me and to enable me to understand clearly what's being said it's essential that you all keep yourselves under control and here's a speaker in silence thank you very much
00:23:57 speaker in silence thank you very much sorry mr. Bennett continue it is no coincidence that the vast majority of the residents of grenfell tower were first or second generation migrants and refugees the remaining
00:24:11 migrants and refugees the remaining residents being largely local people with long-standing roots in the North Kensington area amongst the 72 who died 23 different countries or more were
00:24:23 23 different countries or more were represented so race and class are at the heart of the Grenfell story whether we like it or not whether the inquiry acknowledges it or not whether the terms
00:24:36 acknowledges it or not whether the terms of reference are extended or not consequently we say what happened at Grenfell Tower in the early hours of the 14th of June last year was as political
00:24:47 14th of June last year was as political as it gets and symbolic of a deep inequality in our society this inquiry must speak truth to power and hold those
00:24:59 must speak truth to power and hold those responsible accountable anything less would be an insult to the bereaved and the survivors thank you thank you very much
00:25:09 much now I'm sorry we don't have we don't have applause either these are formal proceedings we just listened quietly and let the speaker take his course No thank you very much mr. Menon mr. Thomas I
00:25:22 you very much mr. Menon mr. Thomas I think you're going to address as Max is that right
00:25:54 yes when you're ready
00:25:57 and
00:26:01 as long as poverty injustice and gross inequality persist in our world none of
00:26:12 inequality persist in our world none of us can truly rest those are the words of Nelson Mandela I'd like to take this opportunity if I may to offer my
00:26:23 opportunity if I may to offer my personal condolences to everyone touched by this tragedy also to my brief clients I know you carry a heavy burden and I'm here to share that burden with you sir I
00:26:39 here to share that burden with you sir I am instructed on behalf of 23 clients including survivors bereaved family members and loved ones the various firms
00:26:50 members and loved ones the various firms of solicitors who instruct me are Duncan Lewis huddle solicitors Jane's Lister's and Saunders solicitors assisting me our junior counsel Miss Holly and Miraj and
00:27:03 junior counsel Miss Holly and Miraj and mr. Jamie Burton and I thank them for their assistance in this with this opening statement this opening statement
00:27:14 opening statement this opening statement is made on behalf of be deceased survivors families and victims in the group known as g10 mr. Mike Mansfield or of Queen's Counsel will also be
00:27:25 of Queen's Counsel will also be addressing you sir we have ensured that all topics do not overlap too many tears
00:27:36 all topics do not overlap too many tears have been shed since the tragedy of this fire on the 14th of June of last year many tears were shed last week during
00:27:48 many tears were shed last week during the pen port trades no doubt by the end of this inquiry enough will have been shed for a mighty river of sorrow to
00:27:59 shed for a mighty river of sorrow to flow lost lives lost loves lost opportunities we do not want one tear to
00:28:11 opportunities we do not want one tear to have been shed in vain we do not want one life to have been wasted without proper recourse to justice we do not want one soul to have
00:28:24 justice we do not want one soul to have been lost to this world without any meaning so on behalf of the families the survivors the dead we will not permit or
00:28:35 survivors the dead we will not permit or stand idly by and allow the wretched souls lost on that fateful night to pass without a proper accounting for their lives which were prematurely
00:28:47 lives which were prematurely extinguished by toxic smoke fumes and fire chairmen you and your team have to understand as I'm sure you do that our
00:28:58 understand as I'm sure you do that our duty is to those who died those who survived their families their loved ones and their friends but also to the wider community because that they collectively
00:29:12 community because that they collectively demand of us to pursue doggedly fearlessly and determinedly the truth the whole truth are nothing less than
00:29:23 the whole truth are nothing less than the truth as to what happened on that night so sir have no doubt dangerous practices will be exposed in this
00:29:35 practices will be exposed in this inquiry and we hope that union team will have the courage to stand alongside us to expose wrongdoing where wrongdoing
00:29:46 to expose wrongdoing where wrongdoing exists to that end we want this inquiry to focus on the recent refurbishment to and the cladding of the building the
00:30:00 and the cladding of the building the inadequacies of the fire measures the gross mismanagement of the building by Kensington and Chelsea tenant management organization that's a mouthful so I'm
00:30:13 organization that's a mouthful so I'm going to refer to them as Casey TMO and others and also but not lease the treatment of ordinary citizens by what I
00:30:25 treatment of ordinary citizens by what I will describe as the Corp and public bodies alike let me turn to the firefighters there has in the
00:30:39 the firefighters there has in the openings by others been criticisms of the firefighters capabilities and their reaction on the night that is something that undoubtedly will be considered
00:30:51 that undoubtedly will be considered however we must not lose sight of the primary issues let's turn to them the
00:31:02 primary issues let's turn to them the refurbishment we say this but those responsible for allowing this situation to get to the stage where 72 souls were
00:31:14 to get to the stage where 72 souls were lost in the most surrenders and awful way should hang their heads in collective shame not only was there the tragedy of death but also let us not
00:31:28 tragedy of death but also let us not forget that many people were injured both physically and mentally and an entire community became homeless from this building and the surrounding area
00:31:40 this building and the surrounding area there are many important questions that arise needless to say it is absolutely imperative that this inquiry identifies
00:31:51 imperative that this inquiry identifies the failures that caused the loss of life and the terrible harm to others equally important all those responsible
00:32:02 equally important all those responsible must be held to account one of our clients said that the refurbishment changed the building from being an ugly
00:32:14 changed the building from being an ugly safe council block to a deathtrap that looked like a pretty private block
00:32:25 whilst those responsible for the refurbishment may dispute just how unsafe they make Grenville tower it is in controvert able that the tower was
00:32:38 in controvert able that the tower was intentionally rendered significantly less safe by the introduction of highly flammable material to its structure and exterior we do not yet know everything
00:32:54 exterior we do not yet know everything about what happened but it would seem that this fact was never communicated to the London Fire Brigade the fire safety of several hundred people deliberately
00:33:08 of several hundred people deliberately compromised in their own homes and yet the public servants ultimately responsible for protecting them in the
00:33:19 responsible for protecting them in the event of fire are simply never told still less consulted moreover sir as Barbara Lane notes at no
00:33:30 moreover sir as Barbara Lane notes at no time did an independent public official interrogate and conduct due diligence of the corporate decision-making that ultimately led inexorably and
00:33:42 ultimately led inexorably and predictably to the priority prioritization of profit over safety leave an aside for now any ambiguities
00:33:53 leave an aside for now any ambiguities in the regulatory regime and the culpability of those involved this is an alarm in state of affairs by design
00:34:04 alarm in state of affairs by design complacency error or all of these the state palpably failed in its primary duty to protect its citizens and as for
00:34:18 duty to protect its citizens and as for the corporates silence speaks a thousand words
00:34:26 the state may have fell to protect the residents of Grenfell from dangerous cost cuts and penny-pinching but had no doubt the inquiry will not stop there
00:34:38 doubt the inquiry will not stop there for we shall not let it any attempt to mislead distract rewrite history or
00:34:49 mislead distract rewrite history or blame others in a tech in an attempt to conceal the truth will be met with unwavering resistance sir once you've
00:35:00 unwavering resistance sir once you've heard the evidence you may have conclude that for too long representatives of the corporate sector have encountered a
00:35:11 corporate sector have encountered a state too willing to bow to their demands too susceptible to manipulation in favor of their interests unwilling or ill-equipped to stand firm behind the
00:35:23 ill-equipped to stand firm behind the public interest in the face of corporate greed the state has permitted a culture of corporate impunity to take root sir
00:35:35 of corporate impunity to take root sir whilst the extinction of this culture is beyond the powers of any single person or any judge you and your team can surely contribute to its dismantling by
00:35:48 surely contribute to its dismantling by joining us in ensuring that by holding those responsible for this terrible fire this enquiry marks of beginning of the
00:35:59 this enquiry marks of beginning of the end the warnings from the occupants and mismanagement if I can turn to that
00:36:11 the role of Casey TMO is significant it had accepted a management role and was funded by the local authority the
00:36:24 funded by the local authority the failure of Casey TMO to engage with the residents of Grenville tower and action their concerns about the safety of the building exemplifies this erosion of the
00:36:35 building exemplifies this erosion of the state's social obligation to the residents in March 2017 mr. Shah Ahmed
00:36:46 residents in March 2017 mr. Shah Ahmed the chair of the leaseholders Association asked the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to conduct a full health and safety order of Grenville he
00:36:57 health and safety order of Grenville he delivered a full dossier to Kensington and Chelsea just two weeks before the fire he repeatedly asked AC TMO to provide and carry out a fire drill and
00:37:11 provide and carry out a fire drill and query the absence of any fire safety advice for the residents of the tower the Grenfell fire tower is what happens
00:37:22 the Grenfell fire tower is what happens when ordinary people are ignored it is a direct consequence of that failing
00:37:35 proper participation in this inquiry if I can turn to that allied to this we trust and hope but during this inquiry
00:37:48 trust and hope but during this inquiry we that is the lawyers representing the families the survivors the dead will be permitted to ask proper and relevant
00:37:59 permitted to ask proper and relevant questions and we are mindful to remind this inquiry that should the residents breathe and survivors not be allowed to ask proper and relevant questions
00:38:11 ask proper and relevant questions through and by their own counsel this inquiry has the danger of having the perception of becoming a white wash if the residents
00:38:25 becoming a white wash if the residents breathed and survivors are told you cannot ask questions through your own lawyers in this inquiry that perception will be perpetuated a powerless group of
00:38:37 will be perpetuated a powerless group of people will be rendered a voiceless group of people insult will be added to grave injury a group that should be at
00:38:49 grave injury a group that should be at the center of this inquiry will find themselves at the periphery marginalized once again ignored sir it is in your
00:39:02 once again ignored sir it is in your power your gift to grant this remember sir that these good people will not listen to when their justifiable and
00:39:14 listen to when their justifiable and legitimate concerns were raised and they seek your reassurance that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated here but sir you need not worry the questions
00:39:26 but sir you need not worry the questions that we will ask will not be repetitious or irrelevant I assure you they will be pointed proper and pertinent it is
00:39:38 pointed proper and pertinent it is important that our clients feel and see that they have equality of arms in this hearing your trust in us will not be
00:39:53 hearing your trust in us will not be abused
00:39:57 the stigmatization of socializing if I can turn to that sir and what if you will permit me to share with you one of
00:40:08 will permit me to share with you one of life's ironies coincidences or some may well say quirks it may not have escaped your attention that I am of African
00:40:21 your attention that I am of African Caribbean descent both my parents were part of that Windrush generation that came here to the UK in the very early 60s as British
00:40:36 the UK in the very early 60s as British dependence to assist in the rebuilding of the motherland looking to improve their own lives to create opportunities
00:40:47 their own lives to create opportunities for their children of which I'm very grateful to my mum and dad for many of the Grenville occupants made similar journeys like my parents my parents came
00:41:02 journeys like my parents my parents came from different Caribbean islands and met in West London they fell in love their their first home in this country was on the Latimer Road within a stone's throw
00:41:16 the Latimer Road within a stone's throw of the site where Grenville Tower would later be constructed they would later move to tolbert Road just off Portobello Road which is where I was born
00:41:30 Road which is where I was born our landlord at the time was a gentleman known as mr. Ackerman sir in the 50s and
00:41:41 known as mr. Ackerman sir in the 50s and 60s this was a time where if you were a person of color it was extremely difficult to secure decent rented
00:41:52 difficult to secure decent rented accommodation in the private sector rental advertisements and signs in people's windows were not particularly inviting or welcoming adverts were
00:42:05 inviting or welcoming adverts were common one to let but no blacks no Irish no dogs remember this was a time before this country had
00:42:20 this was a time before this country had proper and effective anti-discrimination laws not all private landlords were
00:42:31 laws not all private landlords were unwilling to rent to people of color for some the color of your money was more important than the color of your skin however with very little housing rights
00:42:43 however with very little housing rights to tenants many of the properties rented were not particularly fit for habitation all were in a poor state of repair and
00:42:55 all were in a poor state of repair and tenants particularly if you were a tenant of color you had to tolerate this if you wanted to keep a roof over your head social housing outside the private
00:43:08 head social housing outside the private sector was therefore extremely important for all people and in particular for people of color because if you were a
00:43:20 people of color because if you were a person of color sir market choice was limited it became vital life
00:43:31 limited it became vital life coincidences do not stop there my parents were married in the local Notting Hill Methodist Church but now stands in the shadows of grenfell sir
00:43:43 stands in the shadows of grenfell sir I'm sure you know that this is the very church which is doing such great work under the stewardship of the Reverend Mike long and other community leaders for many of the victims of grenfell and
00:43:55 for many of the victims of grenfell and the local community at this very moment there was a live link in the church showing these proceedings and that is a
00:44:06 showing these proceedings and that is a very st. church where I was baptized at the tender age of three months old so yes I was born in the Grenville area although at the time of my birth the
00:44:18 although at the time of my birth the tower had yet to be constructed that would not happen until I believe 1974 so in a way this case this tragedy this devastation
00:44:29 case this tragedy this devastation resonates with me on a very personal level sir there is no inherent problem with tower blocks they are the
00:44:42 with tower blocks they are the foundation of many strong neighborhoods and communities people enjoy living in them Grenville tower was part of a strong and vibrant community in the
00:44:53 strong and vibrant community in the Lancaster West's estate and North Kensington the problem is with poorly maintained tower blocks we want to be clear that it
00:45:06 tower blocks we want to be clear that it is important not to stick batai social housing all the people who live in social housing social housing is necessary for the provision of
00:45:17 necessary for the provision of accommodation in this country and the notion that the residents of Granville Tower deserved less and they were lesser citizens because they lived in social
00:45:29 citizens because they lived in social housing well that simply needs to be debunked this stigma which undoubtedly exists reflects recent political
00:45:40 exists reflects recent political attitudes towards council housing and council tenants did you know in 1975 more than a third of the population was
00:45:51 more than a third of the population was housed in council housing this is a major achievement in the post-war reconstruction and improvement of pre-war housing conditions it benefited
00:46:03 pre-war housing conditions it benefited the lives of many people but a change was to come by 1980 a rise in homeownership was promoted by the
00:46:15 homeownership was promoted by the introduction of the tenants rights by council housing which of itself is unproblematic however the sale of
00:46:26 unproblematic however the sale of council housing was accompanied by the simultaneous imposition of C restrictions on the ability of councils to replenish their stock that process
00:46:39 to replenish their stock that process continued with the forced privatization of much council housing across the country and the increased commodification of housing generally owned in one's home was no longer enough
00:46:53 owned in one's home was no longer enough one had to get onto the housing ladder a home has become not only a place in which to live but an investment opportunity transfer
00:47:04 but an investment opportunity transfer of public housing stock into private hands and simultaneously making the remaining council less well supported and appealing as an option of course the
00:47:19 and appealing as an option of course the inquiry will know that the stereotype does not match the reality of Grenville tower this inquiry knows that the occupants of Grenville Tower and the
00:47:30 occupants of Grenville Tower and the estate of which it was a part were mixed and as varied as the population of the great city in which we all live a significant number of people in the
00:47:41 significant number of people in the tower owned their own homes but the perception sir was still there council housing is for those who fail in life people who need to be managed not
00:47:55 people who need to be managed not embraced or in my board mired desperate people without the agency to improve their lives the destitute that disenfranchised vulnerable and voiceless descriptions lot of people themselves
00:48:08 descriptions lot of people themselves but of what society has done to them this attitude and stereotyping is what allowed the cost-cutting and the deadly
00:48:21 allowed the cost-cutting and the deadly materials to become normalized it also led to some appalling and false media reporting after the event which
00:48:32 reporting after the event which exemplified the prejudice against those people who were living in council housing and tower blocks but I call prejudice that is based on
00:48:43 prejudice that is based on socio-economic state it is all based on false stereotypes and stigmatization it is deeply cultural as well social this inquiry is of course
00:48:56 well social this inquiry is of course not only a legal process but a cultural and social event whether or not that fact is fully embraced by this inquiry
00:49:08 fact is fully embraced by this inquiry it is imperative that inquiry does not even inadvertently confirm the stereotypes around council housing even when expressing sympathy for the with
00:49:21 when expressing sympathy for the with the victims of the fire they were not helpless they were just not helped in concrete terms the inquiry can also
00:49:33 concrete terms the inquiry can also contribute to the minimizing the impact of the socio-economic disadvantage by recommending that section 1 of the equalities Act 2010 is finally brought
00:49:47 equalities Act 2010 is finally brought into force the public sector socio-economic duty had it been enforcer at the time of the refurbishment it would have required the public bodies to
00:49:59 would have required the public bodies to have been involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower to explain at the time why it was considered acceptable to recklessly cut costs when a when refurbishing a publicly owned building
00:50:12 refurbishing a publicly owned building in the richest borough in the sixth richest country in the world legacy beyond the council housing and virus if I can turn to that this inquiries legacy
00:50:27 I can turn to that this inquiries legacy can and should go beyond a focus on by safety in tower blocks essential as that is the inquiry stands in a unique and unprecedented position to recommend that
00:50:40 unprecedented position to recommend that the right adequate housing is enshrined in our law it is a fact that the residents concerns about the building in which they live were not reflected in
00:50:53 which they live were not reflected in their legal rights despite paying their rent they had absolutely no private law right to live in a safe and habitable home free from
00:51:05 in a safe and habitable home free from imminent destruction surprising as that may be well be but they only had a right to home in a state of repair and their ability to enforce even that right was
00:51:19 ability to enforce even that right was undermined by the scarcity of legal aid this must change more than anything the gren fault our disaster was a profound
00:51:30 gren fault our disaster was a profound breach of the universal human right to an adequate home unfortunately whilst long since recognized as a human right in
00:51:42 recognized as a human right in international law successive UK governments have refused to incorporate the right into our domestic law and allow our courts that uphold it an
00:51:54 allow our courts that uphold it an adequate home is one that is not only in a state of repair but also where the physical safety of the occupants is guaranteed there can be little doubt the
00:52:09 guaranteed there can be little doubt the had the residents of Grenville Tower been able to directly enforce their rights to an adequate home in court than at least some of the fire risks that now
00:52:23 at least some of the fire risks that now we know were present on the 14th of June 2017 would have been identified and rectified before they came to pass with such awful consequences an enforceable
00:52:38 such awful consequences an enforceable right to housing would ensure that this most basic of necessities for a fulfilling and healthy life would be protected for all whatever the
00:52:50 protected for all whatever the shortcomings in the law policy or practice that regulates housing in this country it would provide the ultimate fallback position the inquiry stands in
00:53:04 fallback position the inquiry stands in the new in unique and unprecedented position to recommend that the right adequate housing is enshrined and we commend that to you sir the people in the Grenville
00:53:19 to you sir the people in the Grenville community it is important to remember that the people who live in the tower block are not members of a homogenized group or homogenous group they are
00:53:34 group or homogenous group they are reflective of the wider society and hardworking people who make a valuable contribution to our society
00:53:45 Ahmed the son of Elsa and brother of Marian said this there is a misconception that those living in social housing are simply a group of
00:53:58 social housing are simply a group of uneducated and second-class citizens that should be thankful for living in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea however the reality of the lives
00:54:10 Chelsea however the reality of the lives of many of the residents of Grenville tower shows otherwise Gloria Trevor son was an architect Mohamed Neda had his
00:54:23 was an architect Mohamed Neda had his own chauffeur business for the last 10 to 15 years of his life his son Farhad NIDA graduated from Kingston University with a Bachelor in science and
00:54:34 with a Bachelor in science and engineering Mary Mende was a carer and worked in the community her daughter - Jada was a talented artist at the very start of a very promising career pili
00:54:47 start of a very promising career pili Burton worked as a contract manager for several years for several hospitals in and around the area Debbie lamprey worked in the Holland Park
00:54:58 Park opera house Hameed penny was a talented chef and it goes on
00:55:10 the spirit of the Notting Hill Carnival following the fight embodied the spirit of the community which is also clear when going through the 999 calls which
00:55:21 when going through the 999 calls which were made on that night they came together that community and sought refuge in a block to the very end they
00:55:32 refuge in a block to the very end they may have had the crumbs from the table of the richest borough in the country but they were nevertheless the strongest community as we've heard from the
00:55:43 community as we've heard from the testimony from the family members of the brief friends and members of the Granville community Grenfell and the residents captured the essence of community life flora Neda sabres wife
00:55:59 community life flora Neda sabres wife said this we are a closed community at Grenfell tower and our door is always open to our neighbors sadly we have lost many friends and neighbors in the fire
00:56:11 many friends and neighbors in the fire including two young girls on our floor who would regularly come into our flat to see us the term community is used
00:56:24 to see us the term community is used with positive not negative connotations so not synonymous with disenfranchisement the concept of a vertical village we suggest is a because
00:56:36 vertical village we suggest is a because it simply means that we are remembering a bygone age of an old fashioned community grenfell was not a ghetto or old people's home it was a traditional
00:56:49 old people's home it was a traditional community diverse vibrant the loss of which is not just personal to many but to society as a whole for Grenville
00:57:02 to society as a whole for Grenville tower was a mirror of our society particularly our great capital city it was not about one a particular ethnic group or class the gren fault our
00:57:15 group or class the gren fault our tragedy that has affected a wide range of P
00:57:21 of P Paul ordinary people permit me to give you a few examples
00:57:27 Raymond Moses Bernard whose parents were part of the wind wash generation was from Trinidad
00:57:37 Marjorie vittala flat one six two who died along with her son Ernie they came from the Caribbean island of Dominica which is where my father came
00:57:48 Dominica which is where my father came from Dennis Murphy was from Island
00:57:56 Muhammad Neda was from Afghanistan Mary Mende from The Gambia pili Burton from Spain
00:58:06 Spain zeyneb Dean Sierra Leone the shook a family from the Lebanon mohammad al Hajj
00:58:17 family from the Lebanon mohammad al Hajj Ali from Daraa a city in southwestern Syria Gloria Traverse on and Marco guitar D in flat - OH - they were
00:58:28 guitar D in flat - OH - they were Italian Mohammed Connie he was from Tehran and Bek T Huff tom was Eritrean
00:58:42 we agree with mr. Imran Khan of Queen's Counsel that the terms of the inquiry should be broadened to deal with what
00:58:53 should be broadened to deal with what some refer to it as the elephant in the room I refer to it as the blue well in the wrong to what extent did the fact
00:59:06 the wrong to what extent did the fact that the residents were or were perceived to be predominantly from poorer members of the borough contribute to this incident that has to
00:59:17 contribute to this incident that has to be looked at sir and sir you cannot ignore race the residents of Grenville tower and the Lancaster West's estate
00:59:30 tower and the Lancaster West's estate were left isolated by central government after this fire it is difficult to believe there could be such inhumanity
00:59:42 believe there could be such inhumanity it was the people of London not local central government that initially responded to Granville Tower tragedy
00:59:53 responded to Granville Tower tragedy it should also not be forgotten that many people are still not housed and remain in temporary accommodation battling with the authorities to be
01:00:04 battling with the authorities to be appropriately rehoused and they are still being ignored additionally many of the residents and survivors of the fire are and continue to suffer mental
01:00:17 are and continue to suffer mental anguish and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the horrors of the night and the aftermath of the fire our clients
01:00:28 aftermath of the fire our clients victims residents the bereaved and survivors are dignified people who have maintained their dignity sir despite this tragedy they have placed a lot of
01:00:43 this tragedy they have placed a lot of trust in this inquiry that trust has been front-loaded because this inquiry has yet
01:00:51 has yet to properly start but there was no reason for our clients to believe that their trust is misplaced we are sure that you will wish to repay that trust
01:01:03 that you will wish to repay that trust they are merely seeking answers from this inquiry which will involve the asking of many difficult questions but the asking of such questions is the very
01:01:16 the asking of such questions is the very nature of the beast and purpose of the public inquiry it is important therefore to recognize that this fire occurred at time when there are issues of legal aid
01:01:27 time when there are issues of legal aid cuts a time when there's an assault and rights and even the enforcement of Rights in any event the contract between the individual and the state is based
01:01:38 the individual and the state is based upon enforceable rights the method of enforcement has been lost to many less wealthy individuals the very risk of
01:01:50 wealthy individuals the very risk of fire is a very emotive thing for everyone that is why this tragedy hit home for so many people up and down this country there was nothing the residents
01:02:04 country there was nothing the residents could do the tower was meant to be building regulations compliant but it was obviously not this instant raises issues across the country on every
01:02:17 issues across the country on every building where such cladding is being used and we support the recommendation that there be a temporary ban on anything but a1 classified external
01:02:31 anything but a1 classified external cladding on new and existing buildings as part of its legacy this inquiry must seek to ensure that a zero risk approach to fire safety in tower blocks prevails
01:02:49 so you know one of the most heartbreaking things that happened in this case is this some of the residents on the top floor of Granville Tower had
01:03:01 on the top floor of Granville Tower had disabilities why on earth were persons with disabilities which affected their mobility housed on the top floors where
01:03:15 mobility housed on the top floors where in the event of fire there were no means of evacuation if the lifts failed think about it
01:03:27 about it additionally in terms of fire Fighting's response there were no fire hoses long enough to extend from the ground to
01:03:38 enough to extend from the ground to fight fires on those upper floors
01:03:44 important questions to consider are what we'll see refurbishment needed please do not misunderstand what we say about this
01:03:55 not misunderstand what we say about this everyone is entitled to a more aesthetically pleasing environment to live in
01:04:00 live in however the question must be asked whether the refurbishment was simply about beautifying the tower it is not
01:04:12 about beautifying the tower it is not lost that the building in its previous form may have been considered and I saw to some of the more wealthier residents in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
01:04:26 in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea sir it is a legitimate question to ask where the money spent on the tower was not for the residents but for some of the more wealthier people living in the
01:04:37 the more wealthier people living in the borough so that the tower was made more aesthetically pleasing to them this is not to suggest that poor people should live in ugly blocks but the point is
01:04:51 live in ugly blocks but the point is beautifying at what cost were the materials used second-rate yes everyone deserves to live in a nice
01:05:02 yes everyone deserves to live in a nice home but the way it is refurbished shows that it was not done with the welfare of the residents in mind one of our clients
01:05:15 the residents in mind one of our clients and mr. Bonifacio was retired he was elderly and blind he lived on the 11th floor which was previously the 8th floor
01:05:28 floor which was previously the 8th floor before the refurbishment and had lived there for 36 years he could work his way around before the refurbishment however there was no consultation with him about
01:05:41 there was no consultation with him about his needs no proper signage or allowance for him and his disability as part of the process of the refurbishment on the
01:05:53 the process of the refurbishment on the night of the fire his daughter rang 999 at least four times at 258 and 52
01:06:06 at least four times at 258 and 52 seconds again at 357 and 28 seconds at 441 and 531 she was told to get him out
01:06:23 441 and 531 she was told to get him out if he could think about it blind disabled he could not as it was let's reflect upon what that means he was
01:06:37 reflect upon what that means he was condemned to die
01:06:44 this lease and the next question to what extent did fire safety regulations fire safety guidance an evacuation procedure
01:06:55 safety guidance an evacuation procedure take into account the vulnerability of children they disable the infirmed 18
01:07:09 children they disable the infirmed 18 children died in that fire at grenfell the number of children who were trapped in the tire tower as born out in the 999
01:07:21 in the tire tower as born out in the 999 calls whose ultimate fates were sealed as that fire raged highlights need for training clear guidance and strict
01:07:32 training clear guidance and strict compliance with regulations around evacuation where the vulnerable and children may be involved we would expect
01:07:44 children may be involved we would expect the inquiry to investigate whether the fire service lacked adequate resources and direction when they intended this fire have cuts to the fire service or
01:07:55 fire have cuts to the fire service or deregulation contributed to what happened last year take the following mainly the National Fire Training Center
01:08:06 mainly the National Fire Training Center the call center and Building Control all of which are examples of the effects of deregulation which played out on the night if it is subsequently shown to be
01:08:21 night if it is subsequently shown to be true that deregulation had an impact and contributed to the Grenfell fire then everyone can understand that it adds to the outrage of the voiceless their
01:08:34 the outrage of the voiceless their frustration and this fires foreseeability people loved living in Grenfell they were entitled to feel and
01:08:45 Grenfell they were entitled to feel and to be safe there
01:08:50 firefighters do an important job and often put themselves at serious risk in doing it but if we are to expect from
01:09:01 doing it but if we are to expect from them to put their lives on the line for us then the public can expect them to be trained and organized the right and high
01:09:12 trained and organized the right and high standard and to people to be provided with the right equipment and resources the public also can expect that landlords use proper building materials
01:09:25 landlords use proper building materials that their residents are kept safe of course there will always be accidents involving fire but we can and must do
01:09:36 involving fire but we can and must do more to minimize these risks every effort should be made to ensure that deaths by fires in these blocks are avoided sir before concluding my remarks
01:09:53 avoided sir before concluding my remarks I would wish to just you briefly on the panel we welcome the Prime Minister's decision to appoint panel members to sit
01:10:05 decision to appoint panel members to sit with you during phase two of the inquiry given however the inexorable link between the evidence which will be heard during phase one and phase two to the
01:10:17 during phase one and phase two to the cause of the fire and the disaster that unfolded on the 14th of June we say it's imperative that the panel members are appointed at the earliest opportunity to
01:10:29 appointed at the earliest opportunity to enable them to hear the evidence in phase one in particular it's important that they hear the testimony of the true experts of the Grenville fire that's the
01:10:41 experts of the Grenville fire that's the residents and the survivors we also press our call for the appointment of panel members with a true understanding of the ethnic and socially diverse
01:10:52 of the ethnic and socially diverse community of death of Grenville for earth tower
01:10:57 so in concluding our clients want the whole troop from this inquiry if there was wrongdoing on the part of
01:11:09 was wrongdoing on the part of individuals any corporate body or otherwise from top down they want that wrongdoing properly scrutinized fairly
01:11:20 wrongdoing properly scrutinized fairly examined and rightfully exposed this should all be done in the most open way as is possible in the context of this inquiry without any fear or favor they
01:11:35 inquiry without any fear or favor they want nothing less than the complete story in relation to the circumstances as to how 72 people were killed told in an honest and unvarnished way sir
01:11:51 an honest and unvarnished way sir if wrongdoing is found they want you sir to give a full report explain how those that deaths occurred with recommendations to prevent similar
01:12:02 recommendations to prevent similar fatalities occur and again in the future this is the price that they ask for their trust in you the public and our
01:12:15 their trust in you the public and our clients have a right to know that these deaths and losses have not been in vain they want this so that they can at the very least know that lessons have been
01:12:28 very least know that lessons have been learned there out of this tragedy some good may occur and hopefully prevent others from suffering the pain that they have suffered a profound respect for the
01:12:41 have suffered a profound respect for the sanctity of human life underpins our system of common law as it underpins jurisprudence under articles 1 & 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights
01:12:52 the European Convention of Human Rights this not only means that the state must not unlawfully take life but must also take appropriate legislative steps to
01:13:03 take appropriate legislative steps to protect lives so the purpose of this investigation if I can just outline them very quickly to ensure as far as possible that the
01:13:14 to ensure as far as possible that the full facts are brought to light that culpable and discredit all conduct is exposed and brought public notice that
01:13:25 exposed and brought public notice that where's it where there is suspicion of deliberate wrongdoing even if it's unjustified but that is allayed dangerous practices and procedures are rectified and that those who have lost
01:13:38 rectified and that those who have lost their relatives may least have the satisfaction of knowing that lessons have been learned that may save the lives of others accordingly sir
01:13:49 lives of others accordingly sir you and your team carry huge burden on your shoulders during this inquiry and we are here to help you on that journey
01:14:01 we are here to help you on that journey to assist you to lighten your load let the words of the late dr. Martin Luther King be your guiding light through this
01:14:12 King be your guiding light through this inquiry every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice suffering and
01:14:23 justice requires sacrifice suffering and struggle the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals thank you
01:14:34 individuals thank you good thank you very much indeed mr. Thomas well that's a convenient point to have a break so we'll stop now and resume at half past 11:00 thank you very much
01:14:54 you
01:38:44 now mr. Mansfield you're going to make statements as well yes yes thank you very much good morning sir good morning ladies and gentlemen so what I have to
01:38:55 ladies and gentlemen so what I have to say today is really the concluding remarks of the bereaved and the survivors I together with Allison Monroe and Phillip Dell represent the GTN I'm
01:39:07 and Phillip Dell represent the GTN I'm not going to go through the list you're familiar with but the attempt at this moment is to in a way reflect and to summarize and draw out themes but I do
01:39:20 summarize and draw out themes but I do it for a purpose and the purpose is derived somewhat organically very much from what has been happening over the
01:39:33 from what has been happening over the past few weeks sitting there day after day listening to accounts that you never thought would reach you as far as they
01:39:45 thought would reach you as far as they did because you weren't there and then you were there and then you see the film as you did and as you remarked yesterday doesn't matter how many times you see the film that is extant still it shocks
01:40:01 the film that is extant still it shocks because we all know there behind that window someone is about to die now to
01:40:12 window someone is about to die now to watch incineration almost like a global village go around the world so you actually see it occurring but those are on the ground as well and we've heard from them all or nearly all of them are
01:40:25 from them all or nearly all of them are certainly you may remember in a somewhat unscripted remark and observation by Gloria on behalf of Gloria Emanuela de
01:40:38 Gloria on behalf of Gloria Emanuela de sorrow said that really she came without intending to say anything but she felt the pain in the room we all felt the
01:40:49 the pain in the room we all felt the pain in the room the pain compelled her to
01:40:53 to the pain compelled her to say in fact I don't need to describe Gloria because you all have you've described Gloria parts of Gloria she was trapped on the
01:41:08 parts of Gloria she was trapped on the top floor because she couldn't get out the gate was locked along with many others who had been advised to go to the
01:41:19 others who had been advised to go to the top and were left there and as she also said movingly I don't bear hatred I haven't come here to impart bitterness I
01:41:34 haven't come here to impart bitterness I am angry in fact they were all angry in their own way and that's a perfectly fair legitimate response to a situation
01:41:45 fair legitimate response to a situation that they faced what they want is that anger to be harnessed by you and also everyone else to reach the truth well
01:41:57 everyone else to reach the truth well that's an easy sort of statement to make in one sense of course accomplishing it and achieving it is quite another but the response that she made the anger
01:42:09 but the response that she made the anger that she felt we would all hope infuses our objectives and I want to stand back and ask perhaps on behalf of the the
01:42:21 and ask perhaps on behalf of the the families and the bereaved for you to consider something which really hasn't been done in the past and it arises because of that feeling of anger they
01:42:32 because of that feeling of anger they will have to take you back to last June and July because the force of the event which has caused that anger quite rightly led to an immediate reaction by
01:42:49 rightly led to an immediate reaction by the Prime Minister you were very swiftly appointed to chair an inquiry
01:43:01 and the Prime Minister was anxious to ensure that the public were aware that there was going to be no stone left unturned to reach the truth so there's
01:43:15 unturned to reach the truth so there's the inquiry as it were commencing in a sense on that day or as the day after and then within a month or so a bit less
01:43:26 and then within a month or so a bit less you had recommended terms of reference which had been accepted I'll come back to them right at the end and you did an
01:43:37 to them right at the end and you did an opening of the inquiry last September so there was at that point an alacrity there was a momentum there was an impetus because everybody recognized
01:43:49 impetus because everybody recognized urgency in relation to this issue and it's that urgency that I would put as a context for the suggestions that I have
01:44:01 context for the suggestions that I have about the approach from now on and of course after that or at least at that time but after it as well you yourself
01:44:12 time but after it as well you yourself quite naturally and we say quite rightly was hoping you were hoping to have the interim report done by Easter that's
01:44:27 interim report done by Easter that's just gone by and yet we haven't started even the evidence now this is not a
01:44:38 even the evidence now this is not a criticism it is in the attempt to forge out of these circumstances a rekindling of the need for urgency and the need for
01:44:51 of the need for urgency and the need for action and the problem if your inquiry takes the normal course is that that
01:45:03 takes the normal course is that that anger and that need will become dissipated and like so many other inquiries of reference has already been made
01:45:11 made the risks are that it gets lost in the long grass which would no doubt please a large number of people who have a lot to lose
01:45:23 number of people who have a lot to lose but in a sense reassurance to the public of the anguish that you felt over these two weeks and the anger that the families felt the way in which that
01:45:35 families felt the way in which that reassurance can be resurrected and as you know that is not an easy task is in a number of ways but the first way is in
01:45:48 a number of ways but the first way is in fact for the public on whose behalf you act as well as the families do not have to wait for recommendations that are
01:46:00 to wait for recommendations that are obvious now I appreciate as do we all that the common approach by which I mean the usual approach is for part one of an
01:46:12 the usual approach is for part one of an inquiry to have findings of fact and in a sense I appreciate that's what you had intended to do and still intend to do
01:46:23 intended to do and still intend to do and of course you you you were commissioned as it were in the terms of reference and the letter of reference to make findings of fact as soon as
01:46:34 make findings of fact as soon as possible and make recommendations now if it takes the usual course then the question of recommendations might not
01:46:46 question of recommendations might not arise in the part one report the interim report will have a statement of facts so the first point we would make is would you kindly reconsider that division and
01:47:02 you kindly reconsider that division and we say reconsideration is essential because of the matters I'm going to put before you this morning many of which have already been traversed and I have
01:47:14 have already been traversed and I have no intention of delay and repetition where it can be avoided but on occasion I will have to touch on subjects that have been
01:47:25 have been and of course you had our written opening and most of those points have been made so I'm not going to rehearse what's in the written opening except one or two passages which haven't been
01:47:36 or two passages which haven't been touched on therefore if you're prepared to consider recommendations at a much earlier stage that in itself will
01:47:49 earlier stage that in itself will encourage one hopes encourage those who have remained studiously studiously silent in relation to these events and
01:48:04 silent in relation to these events and in a sense the recommendations that we suggest you might like to consider at an earlier stage we say shouldn't even wait for the interim report now why do we say
01:48:18 for the interim report now why do we say that because the interim report at the moment with all best efforts and we do appreciate that a lot of work has been done by you and by your team assembling
01:48:32 done by you and by your team assembling materials we would like you to capitalize on that work obviously in public over the next one or two months but for example it might be possible by
01:48:45 but for example it might be possible by the summer for you to begin to indicate or actually make recommendations which relate to the most obvious concerns that
01:48:56 relate to the most obvious concerns that have already been raised by other
01:49:01 representatives of the families I will obviously spell out what they are and why we say you're in a position to do that so in other words the statute does
01:49:12 that so in other words the statute does not prohibit you from making recommendations where you consider that they are vital for the safety of the nation at least and certainly all those
01:49:26 nation at least and certainly all those who live in tower blocks whether they're social housing or not
01:49:33 because that's the big need that's the big concern that people have day-in day-out when they wake up am I going to wake up alive or dead and this is not
01:49:44 wake up alive or dead and this is not fantasy
01:49:47 fantasy it's not fantasy for the families who've been through it as you've heard and it's not fantasy for those who've been through it vicariously because they've watched it so that sort of reassurance would be welcomed one would hope by the
01:50:02 would be welcomed one would hope by the Prime Minister and her various departments as well as by the public may I give you one illustration just one illustration of why we say this is
01:50:15 illustration of why we say this is actually an imperative in the case and hesitate this Hillsborough is constantly brought up but it is an example in the
01:50:26 brought up but it is an example in the case of Hillsborough well justice Taylor held her an inquiry a public inquiry within a month or so of what happened on the terraces which of course everyone in
01:50:41 the terraces which of course everyone in this room and elsewhere is familiar with but what he did one of the things he did I leave out all the things that didn't happen but one of the things that did
01:50:52 happen but one of the things that did happen was a sea change in the way in which crowd safety was approached he
01:51:03 which crowd safety was approached he didn't wait he didn't want the government to wait the whole thing was transformed by the beginning of the next season which was only months away so it's possible and of course people know
01:51:18 it's possible and of course people know what the sea change was it's all seating instead of standing now that was a massive injection of money to change a culture which had grown up punk
01:51:29 culture which had grown up punk a word that in fact Lord Justice Taylor used in relation to Hillsborough of in a sense a culture of indifference
01:51:42 had grown up there but he cut through that and he said this is what's going to happen if you're going to encourage safety set the agenda set the tone and
01:51:53 safety set the agenda set the tone and we would suggest humbly of course that you might consider that in relation to the issues I want to raise and may I
01:52:05 the issues I want to raise and may I just follow on from my colleagues recent statement there's Leslie Thomas and the panel I wanted to touch on it at the end but I touch on it now we would ask that
01:52:20 but I touch on it now we would ask that whoever is going to be appointed and it as far as I know no one has been the to extra panel members I pause for a moment extremely important this too rather like
01:52:33 extremely important this too rather like the pen portraits was something that had to be argued for we are grateful that the Prime Minister because we realize
01:52:47 the Prime Minister because we realize it's not within your behest the Prime Minister eventually agreed it took too long for that decision a decision that could have been men months ago one
01:52:59 could have been men months ago one wonders was it because of pressure was it because of a judicial review what do the families have to do to get very simple aspects of reassurance and public
01:53:12 simple aspects of reassurance and public confidence well it's happened but it could have happened quicker but it's not too late we say if you were prepared I appreciate it's not for you to actually appoint them but if they could
01:53:26 actually appoint them but if they could be appointed to deal with evidence from now on that they sit alongside you because you may now see and no one would
01:53:37 because you may now see and no one would be critical of any of us not seeing before the pen or personal portraits of the last two weeks just how deep seated
01:53:49 the last two weeks just how deep seated and far-flung the issues are and as it's been stated by others this is not an inquiry about a refrigerator or
01:54:00 an inquiry about a refrigerator or anything else of that dimension it is much bigger and you will have noticed that of course much of the opening that
01:54:11 that of course much of the opening that has been put before you has in fact embraced the issues so did the families that are social issues social housing and it's as it were tentacles that reach
01:54:25 and it's as it were tentacles that reach out into the community therefore we say the two extra panel members are not because you can't do the job no one's saying that what one saying is this
01:54:36 saying that what one saying is this requires from the beginning a diversity of panel that again has the confidence of the public and the families looking
01:54:48 of the public and the families looking at everything including the possibility of early recommendations and of course that in one breath also includes the
01:54:59 that in one breath also includes the suggestion yesterday from mr. Khan for broadening the terms of reference again that was another argument put forward on behalf of the families that at that time
01:55:11 behalf of the families that at that time for reasons once not saying there weren't reasons it was thought at that time that it wasn't appropriate but flexibility is important and you may
01:55:26 but flexibility is important and you may think that a reconsideration of that term of reference at this juncture having now heard the families and having heard openings on their behalf that in
01:55:38 heard openings on their behalf that in fact it would assist both you to have the panel members and the terms extended to deal with these particular aspects now what are the areas and I'm going to
01:55:51 now what are the areas and I'm going to focus on a few areas which we say are susceptible to early recommendation without waiting for an interim report
01:56:02 without waiting for an interim report that might itself not have recommendations now the
01:56:07 now the time line here is such that I hope I'm not stepping out of line entirely here that on the dates we were given by your
01:56:18 that on the dates we were given by your council a day or so ago it doesn't look as though you'd be in a position to have the part one interim until perhaps the
01:56:29 the part one interim until perhaps the beginning of next year I hope that's a fair assessment therefore if it only contains findings of fact which cannot obviously be minimized but if that's
01:56:40 obviously be minimized but if that's going to concentrate on that these phase two which obviously it broadens out into areas of recommendation and accountability and so on was it fair to
01:56:54 accountability and so on was it fair to say it might be another year after that before you get the report which really the families are waiting for they want to know what happened but they actually
01:57:05 to know what happened but they actually want to know of course why it happened that's linked to how it happened and therefore if that time frame is right it's too long again not critical it's not casting blame it's
01:57:18 not critical it's not casting blame it's just saying the process will take too long this requires exceptional an exceptional approach of being willing to say well there are certain things as I
01:57:31 say well there are certain things as I go along or we if there's a panel alongside you at the time we can see the merits of having these recommendations
01:57:44 merits of having these recommendations spelt out now because of course much of your works been in the public domain anyway by other groups of people issuing reports left right and center this hardly a day that goes by in which the
01:57:56 hardly a day that goes by in which the media haven't got hold of a report although we are cautious because the media can get it wrong as Rajiv graphically demonstrated may I then just
01:58:08 graphically demonstrated may I then just pause before indicating the areas where we suggest early recommendations would be welcomed and there are essentially three that I'm
01:58:24 and there are essentially three that I'm going to concentrate on one relates to the culture the culture of compliance is one way it's been put by Stephanie bar
01:58:35 one way it's been put by Stephanie bar wise and I'm going to use the word mindset the need for a paradigm shift in mindset an approach to home safety in
01:58:47 mindset an approach to home safety in another sense I suppose it's Leslie Thomas's point about ensuring that at the end of the day there should be a right to home safety and security because it can't be more basic than that
01:59:01 because it can't be more basic than that so the first first area I want to ask you to consider is ways in which the mindset which is undoubtedly there to
01:59:12 mindset which is undoubtedly there to this day can be changed and influenced and what can be done now to begin the process that's the first one the second
01:59:24 process that's the first one the second area is identifiable safety measures that can be recommended now we do not have to wait until the end for some of
01:59:38 have to wait until the end for some of these to be considered that is the negative and the positive the removal of items and the insertion of others measures the third area is the stay put
01:59:53 measures the third area is the stay put policy so those are the three areas where we say some recommendations can be made well in advance of the next two years and we don't need to wait now in
02:00:04 years and we don't need to wait now in relation therefore to the first area the what has been called the as I say culture of compliance rarely I am going
02:00:15 culture of compliance rarely I am going to read what is the introduction to our written opening statement it's one of the few things I wish to read because
02:00:28 the few things I wish to read because before I read it may I say it beggars belief the last time I read it and I've only read it once I asked those who heard it whether they knew anything
02:00:39 heard it whether they knew anything about it and it was interesting how few people had recognized that something of this nature had happened it happened on the very morning of June the 14th 2017
02:00:54 the very morning of June the 14th 2017 the day of the fire while Grenville tower was still slow burning an exclusive government-backed group of
02:01:07 exclusive government-backed group of senior high-profile Grandy's from the world of politics and business had arranged a meeting of experts to discuss
02:01:19 arranged a meeting of experts to discuss the subject of cladding the group was known as RTI red tape initiative they
02:01:32 known as RTI red tape initiative they had convened a few months earlier in April 2017 the group's objectives were clear to dismantle European Union regulations that were considered a
02:01:45 regulations that were considered a hindrance to profit-making on May the 10th 2017 RTI produced a
02:01:56 on May the 10th 2017 RTI produced a document entitled the European Union's impact on the United Kingdom housing and construction industry the group zeroed
02:02:08 construction industry the group zeroed in on the construction products regulation the numbers given intended to harmonize the quality of construction materials including external cladding
02:02:21 materials including external cladding across the European urine Union to ensure safety this was a regulation designed to limit the generation and
02:02:33 designed to limit the generation and spread of fire and smoke a regulation that has direct relevance for fires such as the one Grenville tower such was the thinking of
02:02:45 Grenville tower such was the thinking of the dominant power brokers during the dying embers of Grenville tower in this atmosphere safety regulation was sneered at as red tape folly and dismissed as
02:03:00 at as red tape folly and dismissed as expensive and burdensome put simply the prevailing orthodoxy was one of profit before safety effectively profit before
02:03:14 before safety effectively profit before people now one couldn't have made that up at all it is incredible that on that day there were a group of people central
02:03:28 day there were a group of people central to our society who had the arrogance and had the feeling of immunity impunity that they could gather together to
02:03:39 that they could gather together to actually undermine safety because of those factors some social some economic some political I don't need to go further that illustrates graphically how
02:03:54 further that illustrates graphically how serious the problem was and still is and we say it still is because they're all sitting here not the ones from the red tape initiative but the mindset sitting
02:04:07 tape initiative but the mindset sitting here not essentially cooperating with this inquiry essentially hostility to regulation hostility to admission and we
02:04:24 regulation hostility to admission and we say that your inquiry is is not going to founder on what they do but our society requires an industry and a political
02:04:36 requires an industry and a political class that are prepared to acknowledge failings accept responsibility and of course here disclose what has gone wrong
02:04:49 course here disclose what has gone wrong where it gone where it's gone wrong when it went wrong and who was responsible that has got to be a matter not just for you to dig around and find but for them who sit here to
02:05:03 and find but for them who sit here to answer and it's a pity in a way if I digress for a moment that the personal portraits that you kindly organized
02:05:14 portraits that you kindly organized elsewhere weren't all in the same place in other words they might have benefited from an opening followed by the personal portraits such that those who are being
02:05:27 portraits such that those who are being reluctant reticent passing the buck whatever they are intending to do could have seen the results of what happened in this tinderbox that they were
02:05:40 in this tinderbox that they were responsible for at least refurbishing and in other respects so that we commend what happened in the last two weeks it's been seen as a model for future we would
02:05:52 been seen as a model for future we would ask that it is regarded as a model for the future but in future we would ask that it's all one venue all one time everybody is gathered together because it's equally part of the evidence what
02:06:05 it's equally part of the evidence what happened over the last two weeks it's not merely obviously a memorial it is people living saying I've had people lost lost their lives but my life has
02:06:17 lost lost their lives but my life has been lost and it's only when you realize that all record of their lives has gone because the photographs that were in the flat
02:06:25 flat they've all been burnt there's nothing left and then you realize and then one would hope that the government agencies and the corporates would begin and I'm
02:06:36 and the corporates would begin and I'm sure underneath there's a conscience lurking there's something about waiting to get out but they would respond to this situation however enough on on that
02:06:47 this situation however enough on on that particular thing because unless that happens there will be no change from that industry and we say there has to be change of that kind now what's the
02:07:00 change of that kind now what's the recommendation but we say there are two possible ways forward under this heading one is that so far the procedure whether
02:07:11 one is that so far the procedure whether its position statements or openings hasn't actually produced much fruit in terms of the admissions or acceptance or any of it as has been rehearse many
02:07:25 any of it as has been rehearse many times before you you've asked for a response by September and I think his was said earlier on by mr. Friedman it's a rather generous extension of time the
02:07:39 a rather generous extension of time the first point we suggest this is internally is that they are not left until the end of September they've had long enough already they must know what their positions are they know full well what their positions are they don't want
02:07:52 what their positions are they don't want to declare them but we suggest a little bit of nudging and help from yourself might just encourage them they might also be encouraged if they know that at this stage you are minded to make
02:08:03 this stage you are minded to make certain recommendations now either they're going to be a party to those or they're not one of them the recommendation in this area we say is an obvious one essentially that the
02:08:17 obvious one essentially that the construction industry had become deregulated there were regulations but they weren't interested and they paid no attention in fact the few that were there they want to do this mantle so therefore were you to have minded to
02:08:32 therefore were you to have minded to make a recommendation by the summer which is not outlandish which is not fantasy which is not something which is unrealistic that the government
02:08:43 unrealistic that the government considers a regulatory authority now the hackett review suggests this but it's not gone far enough the industry can't
02:08:55 not gone far enough the industry can't be left to self-regulate we know where that would end up and another red tape initiative so it can't be the industry it's got to be an independent we say an independent regulator with essentially a
02:09:09 independent regulator with essentially a department which includes the inspection investigation and enforcement of a regime of regulation which I'm not going into what the regime should include what the statute should
02:09:20 should include what the statute should include I'm suggesting that at this stage if the government's put on red alert that they need to be thinking about how to do this as a backup to the Hackett but going little review but
02:09:31 Hackett but going little review but going perhaps a little further that might encourage some hands to be put all we don't need that oh why don't we need it because and then they might just slip into the possibility of describing why
02:09:44 into the possibility of describing why they want it the way it is so that's that that's two of the points that we would make under the first heading of changing the mindset and the essentially
02:09:57 changing the mindset and the essentially the regime of non-compliance with regulation may I then move to safety measures that
02:10:08 may I then move to safety measures that heading now again I don't want to repeat all the many points that have been made in considerable detail about the way in which the fire spread I'm going to as it were homed in on some extremely
02:10:21 were homed in on some extremely important points which we say relate to urgency in other words the need for some recommendations to be made straight away and again it perhaps doesn't need to be
02:10:36 and again it perhaps doesn't need to be underlined but on the other hand maybe it does in fact so far as we can ascertain at the moment in relation to
02:10:47 ascertain at the moment in relation to blocks that have failed government fire tests now of course there's a question on even whether the tests are sufficiently stringent but on the ones that are there there are three hundred
02:11:00 that are there there are three hundred and six blocks in the United Kingdom existing blocks and according to Theresa May and her department recently in May a
02:11:11 May and her department recently in May a hundred and fifty-eight of those are social housing blocks and of the hundred and fifty-eight a hundred and four
02:11:22 and fifty-eight a hundred and four they've started removing the cladding now we say it just emphasizes it's too slow
02:11:30 slow it's too slow for this to be happening in this way and and once again one has a very interesting little cameo of what's
02:11:41 very interesting little cameo of what's going on in the wings even when it comes to the removal nevermind prohibition what happens because some of these states are in London they're not all outside London some of them and I
02:11:53 all outside London some of them and I put in the written argument where the ones are in London what is beginning to happen I don't think a person in this room can't guess the owners are saying
02:12:05 room can't guess the owners are saying rule not us management management say no no no it's it's the owner sometimes they don't even reveal who the owner is it's the owners and then they both get together and sit down runs oh no no
02:12:16 together and sit down runs oh no no we'll pass it over to the tenants and so they're saying that the tenants have got to pay so in steps Theresa May saying right well we're going to taken all this time for this to come forward this is
02:12:28 time for this to come forward this is only last week or the week before no we're going to provide 400 million to assist people to remove cladding and we're still talking about whether to ban
02:12:39 we're still talking about whether to ban it or not
02:12:39 it or not well Wellcome to that however we now learn that the 400 million promised is not coming from a defense budget or
02:12:51 not coming from a defense budget or somewhere else it's coming out of the social housing budget such that it is now being suggested the level of social housing will be affected by removing
02:13:04 housing will be affected by removing that sum of money then they go the next day and say no it won't I'm not interested in the ins and outs what one is interested in action should have been taken before it hasn't been it's led to
02:13:15 taken before it hasn't been it's led to arguments about responsibility and that cannot be countenanced a day longer if you were minded never mind the removal to look at high-rise residence and
02:13:29 to look at high-rise residence and focusing on high-rise residence now I mention it also in the same breath because sometimes one done isn't totally
02:13:40 because sometimes one done isn't totally aware of what's going on around you but very recently something called New London architecture NLA I have to confess not on everyone's lips but
02:13:52 confess not on everyone's lips but nevertheless has produced some very interesting figures and there's been and there is an explosion at this moment of high-rise building in London never mind
02:14:05 high-rise building in London never mind outside London this is just London there are 455 projected projects in 2016 now it's gone up to a record 510
02:14:16 now it's gone up to a record 510 high-rise building that's high-rises at home over 20 storeys think about this is Leslie Thomas's favorite phrase think about it this is not just ready this is
02:14:31 about it this is not just ready this is a situation where we're putting up buildings where we know we can't fire fires over 20 storeys at the moment I'll come to what's possible so if we are
02:14:42 come to what's possible so if we are contemplating and some of these are already under construction and some of them are residential there's one in the
02:14:53 them are residential there's one in the Isle of Dogs I can give the names if necessary but there are two particular ones ones 233 metres high it's more than three times the height this residential
02:15:04 three times the height this residential building of the one that you're dealing with at Grenville and another one the name of which I can give if necessary is 235 meters high so therefore there is
02:15:17 235 meters high so therefore there is undoubtedly a need as these buildings go up and before they're completed to ensure when we say this is where it becomes extremely important it's
02:15:30 becomes extremely important it's important that combustible material whether it's cladding or insulation or an envelope or other materials being used are not used it is of a one
02:15:42 used are not used it is of a one importance that you have non combustible and one doesn't want to have scholastic arguments like how many angels on the head of a pin well-known Bassel is it limited combust no
02:15:54 Bassel is it limited combust no combustible tea however expensive that becomes no combustible tea in relation to high-rise residents and one would hope others as
02:16:05 residents and one would hope others as well and at this moment I think it's today this very day the Royal Borough of Kensington and if there's someone here they can probably correct me are voting as I speak on whether to replace fire
02:16:18 as I speak on whether to replace fire doors so that you've got more resistant doors than the 15-minute ones that were in place now whether that vote takes place or whether it's passed I know not
02:16:30 place or whether it's passed I know not but it's taken a year to work out that the doors need to be replaced I again I just put it there because if one needs any kind of illustration of the
02:16:42 any kind of illustration of the imperative need to address these issues now so we would say given of course again in the wings you've got the jacket that didn't go as far any more than it
02:16:53 that didn't go as far any more than it did on regulation if you're minded to consider the possibility of recommending to the government as they are presently floundering about whether they should
02:17:05 floundering about whether they should ban it or not you can see that the need at least for a moratorium as mr. stone said earlier on now I want in this
02:17:17 said earlier on now I want in this context if I may there is another reason why this is all extremely important because of course it's possible to say well you know we didn't really know
02:17:29 well you know we didn't really know about this well this is where we take issue a little I'm not sure that we do fundamentally with mr. millets opening
02:17:40 fundamentally with mr. millets opening because he said something of considerable interest on not more than more than one thing of considerable interests but in relation to the nature
02:17:51 interests but in relation to the nature of the fire he used the words extraordinary agreed he also used the word unprecedented agreed
02:18:02 word unprecedented agreed those who come to two examples in a moment also he says of course no fire officer and we can understand from the steamers will come along and say that they've experienced it but he quite
02:18:14 they've experienced it but he quite rightly said that's not the question that's not the question the question is was it foreseeable which he said I think he was going to come back to but he
02:18:26 he was going to come back to but he didn't
02:18:27 didn't I'm not saying on purpose we all forget things I shall probably forget quite a bit in this however foreseeability we say is extremely central because it was
02:18:39 say is extremely central because it was foreseeable now the two events that he cited I think he did others have Second World War well looking around the room and about the only one who can remember the Blitz probably now I'm not going
02:18:50 the Blitz probably now I'm not going into that and I don't expect fire officers to remember the Blitz obviously where they were building on fire but then Piper alpha now that's extremely important coincidence coincidence
02:19:01 important coincidence coincidence yesterday in Aberdeen as we hold our meeting here there is another meeting going on it is convened by the oil and
02:19:14 going on it is convened by the oil and gas industry and it's their annual safety conference and it's 30 years since Piper Alpha thirty years since an
02:19:26 since Piper Alpha thirty years since an explosion in which 167 workers died in 22 minutes unprecedented that's not the question do
02:19:37 unprecedented that's not the question do we have to wait until trucks mow people down in the street before you think about a pedestrian crossing no you have to wait until you stick your hand in the fire to know you're going to get burnt
02:19:48 fire to know you're going to get burnt no so we have to have a slightly different approach and what was interesting was that the keynote speaker yesterday was law colin himself and what
02:20:00 yesterday was law colin himself and what they had to say in fact they did reference he didn't but the opening was in these words by the Health and Safety Executive we owe it to those who have lost lives to ourselves
02:20:13 lost lives to ourselves to revisit what we know works apply it to the changing operation and environment we find ourselves in today
02:20:24 environment we find ourselves in today and what he was referring to and Lord Cullen referred to as a headline issue but that particular disaster was because
02:20:36 but that particular disaster was because management didn't know or were uninterested and indifferent to managing risk and ignoring the warning signs in
02:20:50 risk and ignoring the warning signs in relation to a fire they thought was impossible in relation to a fire which they thought if it took place they couldn't evacuate and so on so there were no contingencies so what they are
02:21:01 were no contingencies so what they are saying up in Scotland at this minute is that the lessons that were in fact learned from that disaster it's not about an oil rig any more than a refrigerator it's about the principles
02:21:13 refrigerator it's about the principles of a culture of safety in which and the issues that have come up are exactly the issues here a lack of train training the question of the writ the risk element
02:21:24 question of the writ the risk element not being sufficiently smoke hazards evacuate all the same issues came up on that platform as I'm now coming here so we say that example which is being as it
02:21:37 we say that example which is being as it were are out the rolled out again as we speak is one that we would urge you to if you haven't already to examine that original report so that those who forget
02:21:50 original report so that those who forget the lessons of the past don't have to relive them however I can do the next part of this same section in other words the foreseeability producing the urgency
02:22:02 the foreseeability producing the urgency for recommendations now and can I just run through them relatively quickly first of all you've already heard and I'm not going to repeat it Stephanie
02:22:13 I'm not going to repeat it Stephanie Barr wisest examples of fires in the 1990s that you've also heard from Sam seen about the scotland experience you've heard from Pete Weatherby about a
02:22:24 you've heard from Pete Weatherby about a table of other fires it's all there we've put in our argument some examples of academic prophecy unfortunately indicating that something
02:22:36 unfortunately indicating that something of this kind would happen it's in our paragraph 17 I don't rehearse those as well but I do pause for a moment on two examples that
02:22:48 pause for a moment on two examples that we do place considerable reliance on and these examples produce the need we say for early and the possibility for early
02:22:59 for early and the possibility for early recommendations of an obvious kind which in this case relates to combustibles Lacan or that is the Lacan all-fire both
02:23:10 Lacan or that is the Lacan all-fire both examples a london-based it's the London Fire Brigade and it's Londoners who watch it one of them was virtually next door to Granville tower just down the
02:23:22 door to Granville tower just down the road in Shepherds Bush however this one Lacan on July the 3rd 2009 these have these two have remarkable similarities this one relating to again an older
02:23:38 this one relating to again an older block of flats came out of a Fault in a television on the ninth floor so again it's a domestic utility item the block
02:23:52 it's a domestic utility item the block was 14 stories high built in 1958 but there was a detailed narrative because the exterior cladding panels burnt
02:24:03 the exterior cladding panels burnt through in four and a half minutes no not the whole building but do you need the whole building before you begin to realize the possibilities that have to be countenanced in other words as the
02:24:16 be countenanced in other words as the Cullen experience was you have to think the impossible the far as safety is concerned now I just want it's 20 to 4 in our own opening there was this
02:24:28 in our own opening there was this detailed narrative delivered by the jury now they're going to be wasting their time if in fact nobody's going to pick up and run with it if nobody in government if nobody in public service actually pays
02:24:39 nobody in public service actually pays any attention then the jury might as well go home and not bother but we say we set tremendous store buying quests and buy juries who take the time in the public interest to detail what's what
02:24:52 public interest to detail what's what the detailed narrative verdict delivered by the jury determined that the fire spread up into flat 79 where the deaths occurred through the panels under the bedroom windows of flat 79 this is all
02:25:05 bedroom windows of flat 79 this is all very familiar the aluminium frames having been distorted by flames from flat 65 creating gaps these gaps permitted spoke to be pushed back into
02:25:16 permitted spoke to be pushed back into flat 79 this led to rapid an extensive smoke logging the composite panels were replacements carried out during refurbishment now in fact they came up
02:25:29 refurbishment now in fact they came up with another very important point this is the jury in the Lacan okay stay put was a central issue in the lack of all inquest that policy the jury found that
02:25:41 inquest that policy the jury found that existing training documents were contradictory and inconsistent particularly in regard to either staying put or getting out when there is a fire in the building the coroner also remarked upon insufficient clarity and
02:25:54 remarked upon insufficient clarity and recommended that the Department of Communities and Local Government publish consolidated national guidelines in relation to the stay-put policy including how such guidance is
02:26:07 including how such guidance is disseminated to residents now that's as it were historic but within Geographic and temporal reach of what happened at Grenville and it is we say a betrayal of
02:26:19 Grenville and it is we say a betrayal of what that jury in our system was doing in order to put things right the coroner completed a rule 43 report for the Secretary of State said government can't say they didn't know about this and in
02:26:32 say they didn't know about this and in fact it was on and the importance of these two is they were on television you can still see if you google both of them graphic illustrations of the flames and the smoke outside the building all right
02:26:44 the smoke outside the building all right not the whole building but you can see the possibility and the coroner was wanting to say and did say in her rule 43 awareness that fire can spread downwards and
02:26:55 that fire can spread downwards and laterally and above and adjacent to a fire flat and that insecure compartment ation can permit transfer of smoke and fire between a flat and common parts
02:27:06 fire between a flat and common parts putting the lives of residents and others at risk what more has to be said that is a flag-waving exercise of a major kind and yet here we are spending
02:27:19 major kind and yet here we are spending what two years to discover what we say is obvious and should have been acted on before and has not been so the lacan on
02:27:32 before and has not been so the lacan on fire is extremely important but also Shepherd's court which was August of the year before 2016 and 18-story 1970s tower block it started in the kitchen
02:27:46 tower block it started in the kitchen again a resonance with this case from a faulty tumble dryer on the seventh floor it spread over five floors not all the floors but five floors what do people
02:27:57 floors but five floors what do people need an absolute model in which it is shown that it can spread to the sixth or seventh e8 unless we say these were the warning signs besides all the people who
02:28:08 warning signs besides all the people who spoken out which we've set out in our the various openings besides all the people who've spoken out and of course there's one group we rightly named as the experts at the families who've been
02:28:20 the experts at the families who've been speaking out since the beginning how much more is needed we say not much more in order to come to a conclusion that combustibles at least should be either
02:28:31 combustibles at least should be either subject to a moratorium or banned and in relation to this particular fire the shepherds caught fire which spread over five floors here cladding was
02:28:43 five floors here cladding was susceptible to intense heat when the polystyrene foam filter filter melted showing metal and wood surrounds to fall away which accelerates rapid spread of fire the Assistant Commissioner of fire
02:28:55 fire the Assistant Commissioner of fire safety regulation Dan Dailey as has already been indicated I wrote about it in this way and also letters were sent to 33 different
02:29:06 letters were sent to 33 different councils again this has been mentioned before but I just want to go back to the letter that he wrote about this fire I am drawing this fire to your attention
02:29:18 am drawing this fire to your attention to highlight the external spread of the fire that occurred my predecessor says a Assistant Commissioner Steve Turek wrote to housing providers in March 2009 so again
02:29:32 housing providers in March 2009 so again well before Grenville about a variety of matters one of those was replacement double glazing and the Associated replacement of spandrel and filler
02:29:43 replacement of spandrel and filler panels on the external faces of blocks of flats with floors above 18 metres in height in this case we believe such panels were a contributory factor to the external fire spread because it's in
02:29:57 external fire spread because it's in some way a contributing factor you don't do anything about it we say of course you do and the letter has this other paragraph again we've set it out but I would like to highlight it in the light
02:30:08 would like to highlight it in the light of fires that have occurred I would urge you to consider carefully or arrangements for specifying monitoring and improving all aspects of future replacement and improvement to building facades contracts for the provision and
02:30:20 facades contracts for the provision and installation of replacement elements of building facades including insulation replacement double glazing associated spandrel and infill panels must ensure compliance with all parts of Part B if
02:30:33 compliance with all parts of Part B if they are to secure safety so there was considerable emphasis but as a result of that fire which again no doubt the occupants of grenfell if they go and shop anywhere near Shepherds Bush would
02:30:46 shop anywhere near Shepherds Bush would and that date was very clearly seen by people in the vicinity very clearly seen on television so these were well publicized events and clearly the detail of them was well-known in the sense that
02:30:59 of them was well-known in the sense that it was proselytized by a number of people but that group that I mentioned that have been I've left them to last because in fact they're the most important of this group of warnings and
02:31:11 important of this group of warnings and it's interesting that the the blogger called his Blagh I think playing with fire so that if Phet essentially everybody who lived there knew there were risks they may not have known exactly what the risks were
02:31:23 have known exactly what the risks were but there were things going wrong whether they're surges or other electrical difficulties and plainly there had been asking about the fire resistance of materials and so on not getting answers and being precluded so
02:31:36 getting answers and being precluded so they knew and as they said on the recent demonstration both outside the House of Commons and elsewhere on the 14th of June this year we don't want to wait another 30 years we don't want more
02:31:48 another 30 years we don't want more people going up and dying in this way waiting before as it were changes we would like there to be a ban and some of
02:31:59 would like there to be a ban and some of them saying what about sprinklers which were very much part of the the lack and our recommendations as well so that in relation therefore to the need I hope
02:32:10 relation therefore to the need I hope we've established it and one of the families that you heard about last week that I represent the Murphy family it took it's it's a simple thing like this
02:32:21 took it's it's a simple thing like this that you then realize you've got to do something about this Dennis Murphy had to join a trade union in order to get his voice heard not just heard but maybe take a notice
02:32:33 not just heard but maybe take a notice of he wasn't a bus driver he couldn't even drive a car so it was said that they have to go to these lengths in the present day society that the mechanisms well you don't need mechanisms you need
02:32:46 well you don't need mechanisms you need humanity you need the ability of those in authority and in power to implement safety to not only listen but actually react and respond which is what we're
02:32:58 react and respond which is what we're waiting for here today still reaction and response of substance which is yet to happen so we say there's an overwhelming case for making some
02:33:10 overwhelming case for making some recommendations on that score that is just to do with combustibles however we say as a second half of this particular topic other measures that can be taken again I'll try and do them quickly I put
02:33:23 again I'll try and do them quickly I put them into internal necks of these totally practice totally practical and the family's not me
02:33:31 me the families have been saying this internally you might like to consider as we go through sprinklers inside and out yes it's not going to stop this fire but
02:33:42 yes it's not going to stop this fire but that's not the point again it's missing the point if every time you come this is so bad that wouldn't work it's a combination it's an attitude to safety which Lord Cullen yesterday said needs to be imbued back
02:33:53 yesterday said needs to be imbued back into our society in our system so sprinklers now this is what I don't think anybody's mentioned if they have please forgive me and I've overlooked it fire extinguishers I mean is this
02:34:06 fire extinguishers I mean is this something that's so unusual listening to rajiv menon s description of what his client had to go through he goes to the in the middle of the night to the
02:34:18 in the middle of the night to the kitchen he sees smoke but no flames at that point and he leaves and he does as we've heard he alerts everyone else but he the flames and the taking hold of the
02:34:30 he the flames and the taking hold of the fire I don't know what the interval of time is but it's sometime he's outside and he sees it coming out of his window had each flat or each floor been endowed with a fire extinguisher what's so wrong
02:34:44 with a fire extinguisher what's so wrong with that what's so expensive about that as another means so again one needs to be asking the experts who are coming I know next week for presentations and later for questions and we would say
02:34:55 later for questions and we would say these are questions we would like asked and possibly with supplementary self by us and the initial question by your council now HR packs what are they well
02:35:08 council now HR packs what are they well an HR pack and I'll confess I didn't know that the air industry of the examined this earlier but it's a high-rise pack just for high-rises over walls that the definitions change some
02:35:19 walls that the definitions change some say 10 floors others say 18 some say 20 but in any event I don't quibble about the number of floors a high-rise pack that should be present in every high-rise flat over the certain level
02:35:32 high-rise flat over the certain level and it includes very simple things a mask what was happening they were putting wet towels over their faces trying all sorts of ways in which they might alleviate the problem but that
02:35:44 might alleviate the problem but that would contain a proper mask some of them with a some sort of breathing apparatus but that may be more difficult it must might be enough just to get them down the stairs a torch because the lights go
02:35:55 the stairs a torch because the lights go out and you need a torch to get down the stairs
02:35:58 stairs these are simple will they do them no no that's all as a reserve we're not sure that it really is that effective if you take anything in isolation of course it's not going to be the answer but somebody needs to stand back and say and
02:36:10 somebody needs to stand back and say and I would submit to you now that these practical resolutions are not going to shake the world but they could shake the world of safety to the extent that
02:36:21 world of safety to the extent that people feel reassured what about I gather there were once hose reels used to get those on buildings where the hoses at rental drowned and you plug them into wet risers that already
02:36:34 them into wet risers that already they're not dry risers that maybe you don't get the tennis to do that but they're there to help the fire brigade who haven't got hoses long enough to get to the top floors so you have one that connects to the wet riser that goes up
02:36:46 connects to the wet riser that goes up to that floor and again these are all matters which of course in themselves don't provide a panacea but they do provide as it were incremental
02:37:01 provide as it were incremental resolution of the problem now automated fire alarms for the whole building automated fire a smoke detectors for the whole building and an automatic extractor system on every floor not only
02:37:14 extractor system on every floor not only operated on the floor in which the fire has appeared and that it's automated by a level of either smoke or fire that is detected in the building as a whole fire doors I've touched on and a public
02:37:26 doors I've touched on and a public address system said that the people on the outside or even at the bottom of the building can address everybody in every flat about what's going on and what to do instead of which what did we have
02:37:37 do instead of which what did we have mobile phones knocking on doors ringing call centers total chaos in relation to that these are all points that could be made by the summer and have been made
02:37:50 made by the summer and have been made repeatedly by families and I didn't turn to the outside of the building if it is to be said you can't get a set of ladders to go up 20 storeys or whatever I
02:38:01 go up 20 storeys or whatever I understand that but it might be impossible well then you need of course better fire provision inside in relation to construction and so on and I've
02:38:12 to construction and so on and I've already dealt with combustible materials but if you can't have that then you really do need to start thinking laterally and whenever this seems to get raised with experts they raise their eyes to the ceiling as if to say that
02:38:24 eyes to the ceiling as if to say that we've arrived from Mars well perhaps I have I don't know but not by helicopter the fact is helicopters the only question that was asked in relation to
02:38:35 question that was asked in relation to that is did the police helicopter exacerbate by encouraging people to go in one direction on earth no the police helicopter in fact at the end of the day took some interesting photographs but
02:38:46 took some interesting photographs but the families want to know is could a helicopter have rescued people from the top floor had there been a system in which they could get onto the roof of the building so even though we're
02:38:57 the building so even though we're dealing with grandfa this is important for other people can helicopters play a role which they do in other Jarett jurisdictions that's one thing putting out the fire as well as rescuing so it's
02:39:09 out the fire as well as rescuing so it's two functions in relation to helicopters and aerial support and aerial platforms so that these again need to be canvassed and then one of the families and and of
02:39:22 and then one of the families and and of course I have seen it elsewhere and you think about it'll people jumping out of windows no I'm not saying no I'm saying that the production of a soft landing inflatable or sometimes called a rescue
02:39:35 inflatable or sometimes called a rescue blanket or whatever at the bottom of the building all of this requires access which of course that is another question we'll have to look at in relation to Grenville but if you're making recommendations about what should be
02:39:48 recommendations about what should be happening in relation to high-rise residences we say that the collective memory of all these events plus looking very carefully at the exact happenings
02:40:00 very carefully at the exact happenings as you're going to in these coming weeks you should be in a position by the summer
02:40:05 summer as it were placed on record certain focused identified recommendations that are not going to as it were burst financial dams now see the time I think
02:40:17 financial dams now see the time I think they've got if I may have just a few more minutes I can finish before lunch will have to finish by or very shortly after 12:45 yes I'll finish that now
02:40:29 after 12:45 yes I'll finish that now then the third area because it's not making sense to divide it up that I wanted to focus upon in relation to this is evacuation a lots been said about it and we've put in in our submissions very
02:40:44 and we've put in in our submissions very interestingly going back well again the question of personal memory there used to be a public service advertisement a fire services which was get out stay out get the fire brigade
02:40:58 get out stay out get the fire brigade out I can't remember the song that goes with it but that was the general deployment and in fact if you look on a number of websites right now you will see that is the advice that's being
02:41:09 see that is the advice that's being given by certain fire authorities north of Watford are saying exactly that so what have we got now a situation in which people in buildings don't know whether they've got to get out or
02:41:20 whether they've got to get out or they're not getting out even in relation to the Royal Borough of Kensington they've suspended stay put or have they in the same breath they're saying no no stay put still remains as a policy so if
02:41:33 stay put still remains as a policy so if you're in a high-rise building of which there are a number near Grenville although not all of them have got cladding on I would submit at the moment nobody new knows what on earth they're
02:41:44 nobody new knows what on earth they're going to do whether they should get out or not
02:41:47 or not get out and it's had a deal of publicity already and we would say given that this was at the center of Lacan all as well you have a an opportunity which others
02:42:00 you have a an opportunity which others may be missing that's their responsibility but we suggest you should take advantage of the situation in order to ensure there is clarification about this policy so that people who live in
02:42:13 this policy so that people who live in high-rise over a certain numbers is know whether they should remain or get out it's a simple point I don't elaborate it I'm sure that it's made very clearly so we say that's a third
02:42:26 very clearly so we say that's a third area where you you can make suggestions that are constructive and if I may end by indicating it really goes back to point about human rights and the way in
02:42:40 point about human rights and the way in which the residents regarded themselves as a community in a sense a united nation this was on the fencing outside
02:42:54 nation this was on the fencing outside Grenfell I know you've been there and you've seen all the memorial tea and Billy that's been put up photographs and so on but this particular one caught attention and it was an inscription from
02:43:09 attention and it was an inscription from the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights they're endowed with reason and conscience and
02:43:21 endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood that was Grenfell and we asked that that spirit is engendered by your inquiry and the
02:43:32 engendered by your inquiry and the possibility of earlier recommendations thank you thank you very much mr. Mansfield well we'll break at that point resume at two o'clock when we don't hear
02:43:44 resume at two o'clock when we don't hear from mr. Maxwell Scott could I just ask that you do your best feed back here for a prompt start we lost a bit of time in the middle of the morning when we had earlier break and as far as possible we
02:43:55 earlier break and as far as possible we don't want to do this time because the danger is that we'll either go on too long or people will lose part of their opportunity to address us so prompt starts at two o'clock please thank you
02:44:06 starts at two o'clock please thank you very much
02:44:18 you