‘Bending of rules’ led to Grenfell disaster
THE Grenfell Tower fire occurred partly as a result of an “unbridled passion for deregulation”, the inquiry into the disaster has heard.
A drive to increase housing construction meant the industry was allowed to bend rules and ignore guidance, the probe was told.
A lawyer for some survivors and loved ones of people who died in the blaze said the Government’s approach was “one of the major scandals of our time”.
Grenfell Tower was coated in flammable materials, which contributed to the spread of flames in June 2017, leading to the deaths of 72 people.
Stephanie Barwise
QC told the inquiry that blame lies with “the laudable desire to reduce carbon emissions, coupled with an unbridled passion for deregulation, in particular a desire to… boost the housing construction industry”.
She said: “The Government’s dependency on that industry resulted in [it] becoming the junior partner in the relationship, thereby permitting industry’s exploitation of the regulations. Government’s response, on realising the extent of the problem, was to react by concealment.”
The Fire Brigades Union argued that the Government had “failed woefully” in its “fundamental responsibility for the safety of its citizens”.
The latest phase of the inquiry is looking at how cladding materials were assessed and probing the role of the Government in legislation and compliance.
Ahead of Monday’s hearing, Grenfell United said “the spotlight will finally fall on the Government”. The group for survivors and victims’ families said the line “between lobbying and corruption is dangerously thin and the grey area has left 72 dead”.
The inquiry continues.