Hundreds apply to be core participants in Grenfell Tower inquiry

MORE THAN 500 individuals and organisations have so far applied to be core participants in the public inquiry into the Grenfell fire.

At the opening of the inquiry on September 14, chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick, inset, said about 300 applications had been received.

In the month following his opening statement, a further 200 applications have been made by those wishing to participate, the inquiry said.

Core participants (CPs) are afforded the right to ask questions during the hearings as well as access evidence.

Many survivors are among those to have applied for such status, some as part of campaign groups such as Justice4Grenfell, others individually. While those wishing to be core participants were asked to submit their applications by September 8, the chairman made it clear that any applications received after that date would still be considered. In the case of the Grenfell Inquiry, certain groups automatically qualified for CP status. These were the survivors of the fire, all individuals who were residents of Grenfell Tower at the time of the blaze, and the families of those who died or were injured and unable to participate in the inquiry as a result. Sir Martin has indicated a report of preliminary findings will be prepared in time for Easter 2018.