Corbyn issues key demands over Grenfell as coroner describes “apocalyptic” scene

The burnt-out shell of Grenfell Tower represents an “apocalyptic” scene, a coroner said last night, as Jeremy Corbyn called for a swift and transparent inquiry into the tragedy.

Dr Fiona Wilcox met survivors last night and described the scene of horror in the block, in which at least 80 people were killed last month.

Angry survivors questioned the coroner and asked police why no arrests had been made in relation to the fire.

Corbyn demanded ministers do more to ensure the separate judge-led probe does more to the community’s trust.

Corbyn said: “Victims demand judicial inquiries because of the need for independent and impartial scrutiny” as he urged more to be done.

He said the inquiry must:

• Swiftly set wide-ranging terms of reference, after consultation with local residents.
• Be delivered in two parts: the first on the incident itself, and the second on the wider national issues it raises.
• Operate with the highest level of transparency, putting the residents’ interests at its heart.
• Broaden the inquiry team to include greater expertise and engage fully with victims, residents, the emergency services and local community.”

Local Labour MP for Kensington Emma Dent Coad has called on the judge leading the inquiry to quit, as she branded him a “technocrat”.

“I have been talking to hundreds of people who have been affected,” she told BBC’s Today programme yesterday.

“They need somebody they can talk to, somebody with a bit of a human face. I don’t think he should do it. I don’t think there will be any credibility.”

Tottenham MP David Lammy has also been critical of the judge, suggesting that as an upper middle class white man he perhaps was not the best choice to lead the inquiry. 

Lammy said on Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday:  “He is a white upper middle class man who I suspect has never, ever visited a tower block housing estate and certainly hasn’t slept a night on the 20th floor of one.”