A petition has called on the Prime Minister to ensure the Grenfell inquiry is representative so that those affected can have ‘confidence’ in its findings.
The Government-commissioned inquiry into the blaze which killed 71 people last June was launched to scrutinise Kensington & Chelsea RLBC’s response to any information it received about a fire risk at Grenfell tower.
It will be chaired by the retired judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick.
However, a petition has been launched calling on Theresa May to use her powers under the Inquiries Act 2005 to ‘appoint additional panel members with decision making power to sit alongside chair.’
Adel Chaoui, the petition’s creator, said this will ‘ensure those affected have confidence in and are willing to fully participate in the inquiry.’
Mr Chaoui, who lost four relatives in the fire, said the inquiry should not be led by a judge alone. Instead, panel members ‘must be appointed with relevant background, expertise, experience, and a real understanding of the issues facing those affected.’
He also insisted legal representatives of bereaved families see all evidence from the start and are allowed to question witnesses at the hearings.
For more on the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy see out feature, 'Rebuilding lives and trust after Grenfell?'