Storm at Grenfell inquiry as ‘cover-up’ claims fly

THE Grenfell Tower inquiry was halted yesterday when protesters hijacked proceedings amid accusations of a ‘cover-up’.

Activists shouted ‘disgrace’ and said chairman Sir Martin MooreBick was ‘selling his soul’.

They were angry that construction bosses have been assured their evidence will not be used in criminal prosecutions against them. That move rendered the inquiry pointless, they said.

Chaos erupted as Andrzej Kuszell, director of Grenfell architect firm Studio E, gave evidence.

He is one of the witnesses given protection by Attorney General Suella Braverman. Joe Delaney, who lived next to Grenfell, said:

‘You sold your soul, Sir Martin. The public inquiry isn’t about an inquiry. It’s a f****** cover-up.’

The protesters finally left when approached by Commander Stuart Cundy, who is leading a separate police probe into the 2017 disaster which killed 72 people.

The disorder came minutes after the second phase of the inquiry restarted in Paddington, west London, after a month’s delay.

It is examining the decision to install flammable cladding.

Mr Kuszell later told the inquiry he was sorry about the fire and said employee Bruce Sounes, the project architect, had no experience cladding residential blocks.

It was also heard that Studio E was chosen without a procurement process.

Mr Kuszell admitted his firm would not have got the job if there had been a contest.

‘You sold your soul’