Grenfell families call on May to rethink inquiry panel

HEARTBROKEN families of Grenfell Tower fire victims have called for Theresa May to reconsider after she denied their requests for a diverse panel to sit with the head of the public inquiry.

Adel Chaoui, who lost four relatives in the blaze, started a 22,000-signature petition which was delivered to Downing Street earlier this month, calling for an independent panel amid doubts over Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s suitability.

It is feared that the retired Court of Appeal judge lacks firsthand experience of the complex cultural factors underpinning the tragedy. On the last working day before Christmas, the Prime Minister revealed that additional panel members should not be appointed “at this stage” in order for the inquiry’s first phase to be completed “as quickly as reasonably possible”.

Grieving family members criticised the decision to break the news ahead of the festive season, which is expected to be a particularly difficult time for them, while local MP Emma Dent Coad called the announcement an “insult”.

Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Mr Chaoui said that the decision “seems to have been timed deliberately, on the last working day for most law firms, to limit the time available for us to take legal advice and/or challenge the decision”, adding: “Poor judgment and discourtesy not to have waited until the new year to avoid upset during the holidays, but more concerning, what could possibly be behind the intent to limit time available for a response?”

The next preliminary hearing will be held on January 30.