Grenfell fire uproar

Irate survivors heckle inquiry judge calling him ‘disrespectful’

ANGRY survivors from the Grenfell Tower fire yesterday turned on the judge leading the public inquiry into the tragedy.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick was accused of being “disrespectful” to victims and their families after he ignored questions from a prominent lawyer representing some of the survivors.

He was heckled as he walked out of the preliminary hearing of the inquiry – held exactly three months after the deadly fire on June 14 – as Michael Mansfield QC attempted to ask him to hold an extra meeting with survivors.

In an hour-long address, Sir Martin had pledged his inquiry “can and will provide answers” for the families whose lives were changed by the disaster which killed at least 80 people in west London.

The former Court of Appeal judge said he would not shrink from making critical findings and recommendations about any failures which may have contributed to a tragedy he said was “unprecedented in modern times”.

But he refused calls from survivors for Grenfell residents to be included in his panel of advisers, saying he had to remain impartial.

Sir Martin had made it clear he would not answer questions after his speech and left as Mr Mansfield shouted his question from the packed audience at the Grand Connaught Rooms in central London.

As it became clear the in- quiry chairman was leaving, residents and campaigners shouted “Hello?” and “Rubbish” at his departing back.

Mr Mansfield said he had intended to ask Sir Martin to meet with survivors to discuss their “reservations and concerns” about the inquiry process, and said the chairman’s decision to ignore him was “disrespectful to survivors”.