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

SEND Operations Coordinator

Essex County Council
£29512.0000 - £34720.0000 per annum
SEND Operations CoordinatorFixed Term, Full Time£29,512 to £34,720 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Workforce Coordinator - Essex Shared Lives

Essex County Council
£28115.0000 - £33076.0000 per annum
Workforce Coordinator - Essex Shared LivesPermanent, Full Time£28,115 to £33,076 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Youth Work Team Leader - Hospital Project

Essex County Council
£26924.0000 - £29644.0000 per annum
Youth Work Team Leader - Hospital ProjectFixed Term, Full Time£26,924 - £29,644 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Community Project Coordinator

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £36,581 - £40,444
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Community Project Coordinator to help deliver the Shildon and Newton Aycliffe Strategic Heritage Pla Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Building Control Officer

Durham County Council
Career Graded 7-11 - G7 £31,015 - £34,811 / G8 £33,673 - £37,563 / G9 £36,581 - £40,444 / G10 £39.481 - £43,149 / G11 £42,123 - £46,579
Join our Building Control team and play a key role in delivering a high-quality Building Regulation service. Working alongside customers, developers, Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner