Jeremy Corbyn warns 'narrow' Grenfell probe could fail to learn lessons of tragedy

Emilio Casalicchio

The “narrow” scope of the official probe into the Grenfell Tower fire risks missing key lessons from the tragedy, Jeremy Corbyn warned today.



The Labour leader said victims of the high rise blaze had questions and concerns that “stretch beyond” those set out by the retired judge appointed to lead the inquiry.

Ex-Court of Appeal judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick will head the probe set up by Theresa May in the wake of the disaster that killed at least 80 people.

The Prime Minister said "no stone will be left unturned" but Sir Martin said his investigation will look only at how the fire started and how it spread in order to learn lessons for the future.

But in a letter to Mrs May today, Mr Corbyn said there were "much wider" policy issues to be addressed that would hinge on information about a range of other factors.

“Reaching a full understanding of how and why the fire started and spread is obviously of the utmost importance,” he wrote.

“However it is clear to me from talking to Grenfell residents that their concerns and questions stretch beyond these narrow terms.”

He added: “An inquiry with narrow terms of reference risks failing to learn all the lessons of this tragedy.”

Mr Corbyn said a two-stage inquiry should be launched instead - with the first part considering issues specific to Grenfell and reporting quickly, and the second looking at national issues.

He said building regulations and enforcement, housing allocation, local council and emergency services funding and post-event support should all be probed in the secondary part.

His comments come after Downing Street confirmed cladding from 149 tower blocks in 45 local authorities had failed fire safety tests.

Elsewhere, Mr Corbyn said he was “deeply concerned” at the suggestion it could be a year before the inquiry issues an interim report.

He said a delay could “add to the trauma” for victims and their families and called for an interim report to be published by September this year at the latest.

Mrs May said this week: "I am determined that there will be justice for all the victims of this terrible tragedy and for their families who have suffered so terribly.”

COUNCIL LEADER 'RESIGNS'

Meanwhile, the Conservative leader of Kensington and Chelsea council - where the Grenfell Tower is situated - quit today.

Nicholas Paget-Brown had come under fire over the support the council offered to the victims in the wake of the blaze.

The pressure reached a crunch moment last night when members of the public and journalists were initially barred from a council Cabinet meeting about the fire.

A High Court judge ruled that the media must be allowed into the meeting, so Mr Paget-Brown disbanded it citing fears the inquiry could be prejudiced.