UK offers guarantee over evidence in Grenfell fire probe

Silence could hamper efforts to learn lessons from the devastating loss of life in the fire that killed 72 people

LONDON — Britain’s attorney general offered a guarantee Wednesday not to use oral comments from witnesses testifying before the Grenfell Tower Inquiry in subsequent prosecutions over the fire that killed 72 people.

Suella Braverman wrote to inquiry chairman Martin MooreBick after corporate entities involved in a refurbishment that took place before the fire had threatened to remain silent on the grounds they may incriminate themselves.

Such silence has the potential of hampering efforts to learn lessons from what was the greatest loss of life in a fire on British soil since World War II. London’s police are conducting a separate probe into crimes ranging from gross negligence to manslaughter to health and safety violations.

Experts in the first phase of the inquiry concluded that the work failed to comply with building regulations. Lawyers for the main contractor and architects demanded the pledge when the second phase of the inquiry opened in January.

“The undertaking I am providing to the inquiry means it can continue to take evidence from witnesses who otherwise would likely refuse to answer questions,” Braverman said in a statement. “These questions are important to finding out the truth about the circumstances of the fire. The undertaking will not jeopardize the police investigation or prospects of a future criminal prosecution.”

The proposed undertaking will cover oral evidence only from individuals — and does not mean they would be immune from prosecution all together. Evidence given to the inquiry in written statements or documents can be used against them in any future prosecution, the attorney general’s office said.

Hearings will resume next week.