Sophie Khan, who represented the residents of the Lakanal House fire tragedy has advised Grenfell residents to demand an inquest rather than accept the public inquiry announced by Theresa May on Wednesday.
"Questions have to be asked to how, after a very detailed inquest, narrative verdicts, and a rule forty theory report to the government, why this could happen again."
Speaking to Kirsty Wark on BBC 2 Newsnight last night, Sophie Khan pointed that a #public inquiry would not allow resident participation and would not address all the issues raised by residents.
When asked if a public inquiry was the right way to go, Sophie Khan explicitly stated that residents should have the right to participate, ask questions, and cross-examine witnesses, highlighting only an inquest would adequately serve the people of Grenfell Tower.
She further explained that a public inquiry would be strongly "government-led, government-controlled, government outcome," and would exclude residents almost entirely. In contrast, a coroner-led inquest would be completely independent of the government and give residents the scope for full participation. Residents would be able to bring in their own experts and have all questioned answered completely independently.
Grenfell Tower tragedy "avoidable - 100%" Sophie Khan says
In Sophie Khan's estimation, the loss of life could have been completely avoided through the use of sprinklers. While the building may still have been destroyed, sprinklers would have given residents sufficient time to escape the fires. Raising a number of other concerns, Khan also expressed the view that resident associations are often not listened to.
Since the fire, Grenfell residents have been expressing their frustration and anger, pointing out that the tenant management organization and council had been approached by residents on numerous occasions in relation to fire safety. As recently as November 2016, fire safety was the subject of a detailed blog post in the #Grenfell Tower blog.
The blog written by Grenfell residents citing fire safety over the years is astounding https://t.co/HydDhLGHxh pic.twitter.com/suM1tNRtIo
— Shiv Malik (@shivmalik) June 14, 2017
When Kirsty Wark asked Sophie Khan whether the government may be attempting to limit the scope and independence of any investigation by calling a public inquiry rather than order an inquest, Khan concluded: "In an inquest they lose control of what a jury verdict will do, and a jury verdict....juries will come out with narrative verdicts which may be very difficult for the government to hear."
The short interview concluded with Sophie Khan urging residents to demand an inquest and not accept the public inquiry, while also questioning Theresa May's rush to announce a public inquiry.
