For the Grenfell Tower victims, the truth must be established

Of the many deeply sad and distressing aspects to the Grenfell Tower disaster is that so many of the dead may never be identified. This is partly due the intensity of fire, which – as on 9/11 – leaves little trace

behind, but also because some of those who found themselves engulfed by the smoke and heat were people who lived in society’s shadows: unregistered, unaccounted for and perhaps now disappeared.

There is no doubt that the authorities will do their utmost to name each and every one of the dead and injured, but the truth is that they may not be able to capture all of the details of so many lives.

The authorities also appear perfectly sincere in their wish to form a balanced and considered judgement about what happened and why. Certainly some facts about the case seem very clear – for example, surrounding the cladding that seems to have played such a large part in the tragedy. An early statement and report from the ministers responsible for addressing such issues, including the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajiv Javid, ought to be supplied within days, as no family should have to wait months to get at the truth of what happened.

Nonetheless, that can only serve as an interim view. Only a judge chairing a full public inquiry will have access to the witnesses and the evidence required to reach a more considered conclusion, make appropriate recommendations and, in effect, point the way to prosecutions for any shortcomings by individuals or corporate or public bodies.

That encompasses a large number of individuals and organisations. It could include the former housing minister Gavin Barwell, now Theresa May’s Chief of Staff, and various other members of this and past governments, as well as elected councillors and business people. They all deserve an opportunity to put their testimony forward, and not to be “tried by media” or by a mob. That does not serve justice well nor honour those who lost everything.

Such has been the scale and nature of this story that it has moved the country. Always in such circumstances there is a danger of a “rush to judgement”. We have seen too often in the past how wrong this can be. Yet there is great merit in every local authority undertaking a thorough review of safety in all of their high-rise accommodation. So too should every owner or leaseholder of the gigantic tower office blocks that mark every city skyline, especially the landmark London ones. We cannot assume that simply because they are modern and expensively constructed they have no design flaws or vulnerability to some disasters (including acts of terror).

Lastly, perhaps if nothing else, this episode will end the demonising of “health and safety culture”. Regulations save lives, and health and safety really does come first.