Grenfell Tower inquiry distrust
scrutinised alongside the £8.6 million refit of Grenfell Tower suspected of fuelling the blaze.
Ignored warnings from residents about potential fire safety issues will also be a focus of the evidence sessions, Sir Martin said.
Signalling his intent to examine how flammable material was installed, he added the inquiry would examine what “motivated” decisions about its design.
It has been alleged that combustible cladding was wrapped around the 24-storey block to cut costs.
Sir Martin said the probe’s terms of reference had been “deliberately cast in broad terms in order to give me the scope to pursue any line of inquiry that seems fruitful”.
“My job isn’t to decide which two or more parties had the best case,” he told the hearing.
“It is simply to get to the truth with the help of all those who have relevant evidence to give.
“The process should be seen as essentially co-operative.”
He said: “I’m well aware that the past few months have turned the world of those who live in North Kensington upside down and that former residents of the tower and local people feel a great sense of anger and betrayal.
“That is entirely natural and understandable, but if the inquiry is to get to the truth of what happened, it must seek out all the evidence and examine it calmly and rationally.”
A plea was also issued for those who may have evidence regarding the disaster to “do whatever they can to preserve the material and inform the inquiry team at once”.
Responding to the day’s events, Downing Street said the inquiry would “get to the truth of what happened” and help prevent similar catastrophes in the future.
Theresa May’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has said we are determined that there is justice for the victims of this appalling tragedy and for their families.
“As the inquiry starts today we are confident it will get to the truth of what happened and learn the lessons to stop a similar catastrophe from happening in the future.”