The impact of Coronavirus, the vaccine and related issues has meant that for many the Grenfell Tower inquiry, set up to give “the victims the truth” about the 2017 tragedy has gone under the radar. (1)

Yet some of the recent sessions have provided a litany of revelations amounting to what could be euphemistically at best be termed “misleading half truth.” (2).

The inquiry heard that Kinsgspan the Irish insulation giant, and Arconic, an American cladding manufacturer cladding company through a French subsidiary falsified and misrepresented product safety test results in pursuit of profits. (3)

The, albeit belated, post Grenfell focus on building safety will cost £15 billion and up to ten years to make building compliant, amid fears that residents will have to foot the bill. (4)  The government has pledged a total of £5.1 billion to try and help the estimated 700,000 affected people. (5)

Although the disclosures of corporate malfeasance may have surprised few, some are concerned that this pursuit of the “truth” may come at the price of accountability (e.g prosecutions/convictions).  Particularly since witnesses won their fight for immunity from prosecution for their evidence last year.  This decision also covers the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (TMO). (6) Victims representatives called the move, approved by attorney general Suella Braverman, “abhorrent” and “highly disingenuous and bears all the hallmarks of sabotage of this inquiry”. (7)  However, Braverman retorted: “The undertaking will not jeopardise the police investigation or prospects of a future criminal prosecution.” (8)

(1) Ian Hart (19/02/21) Grenfell Tower fire: Government pledges additional £3.5bn to tackle cladding crisis https://www.shponline.co.uk/fire-safety-and-emergency/grenfell-tower-block-tragedy/

(2) PA Media (17/02/21) Grenfell cladding makers did not reveal ‘disastrous’ fire test data. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/17/grenfell-cladding-makers-did-not-reveal-disastrous-fire-test-data

(3) Robert Booth 912/02/21) Grenfell firm continued selling cladding despite high-rise fires in Middle East, inquiry hears. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/12/grenfell-firm-continued-selling-cladding-despite-high-rise-fires-in-middle-east-inquiry-hears; Tom Lowe (02/12/20) Grenfell manufacturer used test results from trial product to reassure worried contractors.  https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/grenfell-manufacturer-used-test-results-from-trial-product-to-reassure-worried-contractors/5109336.article

(4) Peter Apps (03/07/19) Special investigation – The lost lessons of Lakanal: how politicians missed the chance to stop Grenfell. https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/insight/special-investigation–the-lost-lessons-of-lakanal-how-politicians-missed-the-chance-to-stop-grenfell-61834; Tristan Kirk and Jonathan Prynn (02/02/21) Cladding crisis: East London residents facing £150,000 bills to pay for urgent fire safety repairs. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/repairs-fire-safety-bills-grenfell-tower-london-cladding-crisis-b918197.html

(5) Ian Hart (19/02/21) Grenfell Tower fire: Government pledges additional £3.5bn to tackle cladding crisis. https://www.shponline.co.uk/fire-safety-and-emergency/grenfell-tower-block-tragedy/

(6) Rob Merrick (26/02/20) Corporate witnesses in Grenfell Tower inquiry given immunity from prosecution. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/grenfell-tower-fire-inquiry-news-prosecution-immunity-a9361316.html

(7) Ibid.

(8) Ibid.

We ask the question:

Grenfell: is the truth enough?

1) Is the Grenfell Inquiry getting the coverage it deserves?

2) Will residents end up paying to make buildings safe that should have been in the first place?

3) Has witness immunity “sabotaged” the enquiry?

4) Or was immunity necessary to get to the truth?

5) Do we need convictions to get justice/closure?

Our Special Guest:

Sis. Isis Amlak: has over twenty-five years as a community activist and organiser.  She lives in the Grenfell area and has been active in music and arts production.  For over twenty years she has worked for the not for profit sector and has a strong record in community development, management, training and equalities work.  Sis.Isis has worked extensively with racialized and minority communities in the UK around issues of criminal justice, health and economic justice.   Sis. Isis also hosts the Speak Your Truth Show on Saturdays between 4-6pm on Feferity London Radio (https://www.feferitylondon.co.uk/feferity-radio/?fbclid=IwAR03HEgDhqi90bdKHNaXbHsdconT_aJMYcz4iby8LmdAwIQXmTJGjSXURmE).