The Prime Minister has turned down requests from survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire to appoint a diverse, decision-making panel to sit alongside the head of the public inquiry.
Bereaved family members delivered a petition, signed by more than 22,000 people, to Downing Street earlier this month, calling for an independent panel amid doubts over Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s suitability.
It is feared that the retired Court of Appeal judge lacks first-hand experience of the complex cultural factors underpinning the tragedy.
Nicholas Burton (left), Sandra Ruiz (second right), Karim Mussilhy (right) and a girl who asked not be named (second left), hand in a petition to Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Only Theresa May can authorise a change in the inquiry’s format under the Inquiries Act 2005, and in a letter on Wednesday Sir Martin said it would be wrong for him to advise her either way.
Mrs May said on Friday that additional panel members should not be appointed in order for the first stage of the inquiry to be completed “as quickly as reasonably possible”.
In a letter to Sir Martin, she said she felt the probe had “the necessary expertise to undertake its work”.
She continued: “I am also very conscious of the need for the Inquiry to complete its initial report as quickly as reasonably possible. I therefore consider that additional panel members should not be appointed at this stage.”
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The PM did say that she was “particularly pleased” to hear of proposals to establish an advisory panel, which would provide advice and guidance to Sir Martin.
This “could play a very beneficial role in putting those most affected at the heart of the inquiry and enabling them to ensure that their views and experiences are heard”, she said.
However, members of such a consultative group would not be able to make decisions.
At procedural hearings earlier in December, counsel for survivors and bereaved families stressed that this would not be a satisfactory alternative.
Karim Mussilhy, whose uncle died in the blaze, previously told the Press Association he feared participation with the inquiry would drop if such a panel was not installed.
Mrs May thanked Sir Martin for taking care to include those most affected by the fire, and said she hoped he would continue working closely with the community.
The next preliminary hearings for the inquiry will be held on January 30 and 31.
Emma Dent Coad, Labour MP for Kensington, said she will do all she can to ensure the panel is formed.
She tweeted: “This inquiry will suffer a crisis of confidence if those in power refuse to engage with the wishes of survivors and the bereaved. I’m calling on the Prime Minister to reverse this decision.”