Statement in response to the government announcement of a Public Inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire

Shelter’s interim chief executive Graeme Brown said: 

“We are concerned that the terms of reference for the official Grenfell public inquiry appear to be narrow according to comments made by the appointed chair. This is a unique opportunity to look at what happened not just on the day of the fire, but in the lead up to it: which safety standards were adhered to and why, why were tenants concerns about their safety apparently not listened to and acted upon?

“In our view it is important that Grenfell residents, many of whom we are talking to through our advice clinics, are consulted in a meaningful way. Many of them have openly criticised the authorities for failing to heed their safety warnings before the fire – this is important evidence and those running the inquiry need to listen and to hear these voices. Only by properly including those affected can we get to the bottom of this tragedy and ensure nothing similar ever happens again.”