Laura Sharman 07 February 2020

Councils slam Grenfell's witnesses' immunity request

Councils would be unlikely to use products from any company that fails to cooperate fully with the Grenfell Tower inquiry, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

This week the inquiry forwarded the request to grant witnesses immunity from having any evidence they give being used against them in future prosecutions to the Attorney General.

The LGA said it was ‘extremely’ concerned about the request as all those involved have a duty to fully participate in the inquiry and tell the unedited truth,.

Lord Porter, building safety spokesman for the LGA, said: 'We are concerned that either granting this request or, if it is denied, any subsequent refusal by witnesses to answer the Inquiry’s questions, will frustrate justice and hamper attempts to learn the lessons of Grenfell - lessons which are all the more urgent given the large number of buildings still covered in dangerous cladding and the subsequent blanket of fear that remains imposed on those who live in them.

'The LGA urges the Attorney General to do everything in his power to ensure the truth comes out in a manner that guarantees those who have a criminal case to answer face justice and does not jeopardise civil litigation against those responsible for rendering buildings unsafe.'

Lord Porter added: 'It would be hard to imagine that in the future any council would allow the use of any products manufactured by any company who did not cooperate fully with the inquiry.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Pensions Officer – Payroll, Payments and Projects

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37,602- £45,564 per year (starting salary depen
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Child Practitioner - Kinship Matters Support Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£38220 - £40777
About UsTheKinshipMatte... Oxfordshire
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Advanced Skills Worker

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum
Advanced Skills WorkerPermanent, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention, West Essex

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum
This is a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for 6 months.Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in England, Essex, Harlow
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Duty Senior Practitioner - Assessment & Intervention

Essex County Council
£46574 - £56027 per annum + Hybrid Working
This is a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for 12 months.Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment i England, Essex, Harlow
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner