A public inquiry into a fire at the Grenfell Tower apartments in London that killed 72 people seven years ago has blamed the disaster on failings by government, the construction industry and most of all the firms involved in fitting the exterior with flammable cladding.

The report said that the Grenfell Tower fire was caused by ‘decades of failure’ as the nquiry finds ‘systematic dishonesty’

It found that a Complacent” government was  “well aware” of risk of cladding disaster but failed to act –

There was “Systematic dishonesty” by product manufacturers  which was a “very significant reason” for the fire and a “Chronic and systemic” fire safety failures by tower’s social landlords

The inquiry laid most responsibility for the disaster on the companies involved in the maintenance and refit of the apartment tower, failings by local and national authorities as well as companies which had dishonestly marketed combustible cladding materials as safe.
There was also widespread criticism and blame levelled at the government, local authority of Kensington and Chelsea, the industry, regulatory groups, specific individuals and an ill-prepared fire brigade for years of inaction over fire safety in high-rise blocks.
The Inquiry Chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick, said in his summing up of the report that
“We find that there was a failure on the part of the government and others to give proper consideration at an early stage to the dangers of using combustible materials in the walls of high rise buildings, that including failing to amend, in an appropriate way, the statutory guidance on the construction of external walls. That is where the seeds of the disaster were sown.”
He added that

It is clear that for some years before the fire, relations between the TMO and residents were marked by distrust, antagonism and increasingly bitter confrontation, we find that for the TMO to have allowed the relationship to deteriorate to such an extent reflects a serious failure on its part to observe its basic responsibilities.

He continued, regarding the regime of fire safety management in the block, saying it was one of “persistent failure”, adding:

The TMO’s failure to attach sufficient importance to fire safety is illustrated by its reliance on a single person, Carl Stokes, as fire risk assessor for its entire estate, despite his lack of qualifications and experience

Keir Starmer issued an apology to the families of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire saying that they have been ‘let down before, during and in the aftermath of this tragedy’.

‘The country failed to discharge its most fundamental duty to protect you and your loved ones.’ he told the House of Commons

it’s imperative there is full accountability over Grenfell he added including through criminal justice process – and that this happens as swiftly as possible.

He also said that the Government will  respond fully to the report within six months, and update the Commons yearly on progress and speed up the removing cladding in meantime.

“There are still buildings today with unsafe cladding, and the speed at which this is being addressed is far, far too slow.”

Commenting on the report the Fire Brigades Union said that “This report demonstrates beyond doubt that an agenda of deregulation cost lives.”

The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham,along with his Deputy Kate Green issued the following statement

“Following the release of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report, we remember the 72 people who lost their lives. Our thoughts will always be with the bereaved, survivors and wider Grenfell community who after seven years have some answers as to how such a tragedy was able to occur.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has thoroughly examined the evidence available and produced a detailed report with many recommendations, which will be key to ensuring the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

In Greater Manchester, we will take time to fully consider the details of the report and recommendations in order to identify the steps we need to take locally and work with Government to bring the building safety crisis to an end.

Along with partners of the Greater Manchester High Rise and Building Safety Strategic Oversight Group, we will continue to support residents living in buildings affected by fire safety issues and remain committed to ensuring their homes are made safe as quickly as possible.

 

 

 

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