Following the publication of the
Terms of Reference of the Grenfell Inquiry, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the
Labour Party, has written to Theresa May calling for further action.
In the letter, Corbyn raises
concerns about the “decision to exclude the broader social and political issues
raised by the fire from the terms of reference of the inquiry.”
Focussing criticism on the
Government, Corbyn says there is a fear that its “priority is to avoid
criticism” for policy failures “rather than secure justice for Grenfell
survivors.”
In order to learn the lessons of
the Grenfell fire, Corbyn calls on May to “immediately set out a clear,
independent and thorough process for identifying and addressing the broader
failings that led to the Grenfell fire.“
Continuing his calls for the
Inquiry terms to be broadened, Corbyn seeks guarantees that Sir Martin
Moore-Bick’s assessors “will include people from minority backgrounds in order
to introduce a broader range of experiences and perspectives into the inquiry,
as many residents have demanded.”
Following Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s
request that the Government reassure survivors on their immigration status,
Corbyn also urges May to “grant indefinite right to remain in the UK to all
survivors who need it, on a discretionary basis.”
Full text of the letter to Theresa
May
Dear Prime Minister,
Thank you for your letter dated 15
August 2017 setting out the terms of reference for the inquiry into the fire at
Grenfell Tower.
It is, of course, a relief that
the inquiry is now up and running, and that survivors are one step closer to
the answers they so desperately need.
However, I am deeply concerned by
the decision to exclude the broader social and political issues raised by the
fire from the terms of reference of the inquiry. The fire has raised profound
concerns about the way that social housing is provided and managed in this
country, and I – as well as many survivors – worry that, without a wider
focus, the inquiry will fail to get fully to grips with the causes of the fire.
The fear is that the priority is
to avoid criticism of your party’s policy failures rather than secure justice
for Grenfell survivors, along with the safety of the many other people who live
in social housing in this country.
On the issue of social housing,
your letter accepts that ‘there are a number of concerns, that have gone
unheard for too long.’ However, you are vague on how these concerns will now be
addressed. The promise that your Housing Minister, Alok Sharma, will meet and
talk to social housing residents will be of little reassurance to such
residents, particularly in light of the failure of Conservative Governments to
implement the recommendations of the inquest into the 2009 fire at Lakanal
House in Southwark.
Learning the lessons of the
Grenfell fire will require more far-reaching action. I therefore ask that you
immediately set out a clear, independent and thorough process for identifying
and addressing the broader failings that led to the Grenfell fire.
This process should work closely
with Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s inquiry where appropriate and should include
within its remit social housing policy and all aspects of the relationship
between residents and the local authority and the tenant management
organisation. Only by rooting out the more systemic failings that led to the
Grenfell fire will we ensure that nothing like it ever happens again in this
country.
I am also troubled by your
response to Sir Martin’s request that the Government take all possible measures
to reassure survivors worried about their immigration status. You re-state the
12 month immigration amnesty already in place. However, it seems clear that Sir
Martin is indicating a 12 month amnesty is insufficient and that concerns
remain that a number of survivors will be discouraged from participating in the
inquiry as a result.
I therefore urge you to grant
indefinite right to remain in the UK to all survivors who need it, on a
discretionary basis. Failure to do so will impede their ability to contribute
to the inquiry and may undermine the inquiry itself.
Finally, you note Sir Martin’s
intention to appoint a group of assessors with wide-ranging experience and
expertise. But you do not specify the nature of this diversity beyond having
experience in relation to the occupation and management of social housing, the
administration of local government and “more technical matters.” I continue to
seek guarantees that Sir Martin’s assessors will include people from minority
backgrounds in order to introduce a broader range of experiences and
perspectives into the inquiry, as many residents have demanded.
Given the significant public
interest in the subject matter of this letter, I will be making it public.
Yours sincerely,
Jeremy Corbyn