Tributes to Grenfell Tower victims to be heard as public inquiry starts

Two weeks of poignant tributes from family and friends remembering Grenfell Tower fire victims will be heard by the public inquiry into the disaster as its first phase gets under way.

Family and friends will join togethertodayalmostoneyear on from the disaster and paint a picture of the loved ones they lost in front of the retired judge chairing the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-bick.

Seventy-one people died in the fire that swept through Grenfell Tower in west London on 14 June last year.

A series of pre-recorded vid- 0 Sir Martin Moore-bick: retired judge chairing inquiry eos and statements will be delivered by the bereaved and on their behalf over the two weeks. Starting the hearings this way will make sure “we will never lose sight of who our work is for and why we are doing it”, lead counsel to the inquiry Richard Millett said.

While all the victims’ names will be read out, it is understood that not all families will give a tribute.

Survivor Nicholas Burton will be able to pay tribute to his wife Maria Del Pilar Burton, 74, who died in January after seven months in hospital following the fire.

The commemorations follow a week of significant victories for Grenfell United, the main campaign group representing survivors and the bereaved.

Their wish for a diverse panel to sit alongside Sir Martin was finally granted by Prime Minister Theresa May after months of campaigning.