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Bereaved to Speak at Grenfell Tower Inquiry

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21 May 2018

By Alex Khalil

Those bereaved in the awful Grenfell Tower fire will be attending the enquiry into how the blaze began, almost a year ago in June of 2017. The public inquiry will begin soon and the hearings are expected to last for up to two weeks.

There will be no limit for how long each person can speak for.

The inquiry will look into the 72 people killed, with one dying in January after the injuries they sustained from the fire on 14th June. Dozens are expected to speak, read statements or show videos of the loved ones they lost.

All the names of those who lost their lives at Grenfell will be read out during the hearings, which will take place at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington, west London.

The burned out tower block has stood tall over the rooftops of western London for the past 11 months, while the turmoil of the fire still affects the families today.

Not all families will appear.

Lead counsel to the inquiry, Richard Millett, said that beginning the proceedings in such a way where the victims can have a say, would mean ‘we will never lose sight of who our work is for and why we are doing it’.

Th inquiry will be chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, a former judge. It will begin, after the speakers, by taking evidence from other individuals and organisations from expert witnesses.

This will take place at Holborn Bars in central London.

The first phase will focus on the facts of the event, including where and how the fire started, how it spread and how the building was evacuated.

Barrister Kieran Mitchell, who is representing three of the victims’ families, said:

‘Starting this inquest process with statements and images means we have a stark understanding of how this horrific event has obliterated so many lives.

However, this is just the beginning. We must get the answers everyone craves and understand how this tragedy could ever have been allowed to happen. Ultimately our clients want justice and we will not rest until those culpable are held accountable.’

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