Grenfell Tower inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick urged to 'walk with victims'
Labour MP David Lammy claims the retired judge needs to prove "he won't be swayed because he is part of the establishment".
Sunday 2 July 2017 07:04, UK
Grenfell Tower inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick has been urged to "walk with victims" of the deadly blaze and increase the scope of his investigation.
Several residents accused the inquiry of being too narrow after Sir Martin suggested its focus would likely be limited to what caused the blaze, why it spread and how it could be prevented in future.
With some calling for "systemic issues" to be examined, a campaign group has warned that survivors will .
Labour MP David Lammy told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday that Sir Martin, a retired judge, should reassess his approach and set the inquiry's scope "in partnership" with survivors.
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He said: "I'm disappointed he's expressing doubt of that kind before meeting survivors and victims. This is not a court case, there are not two sides.
"There are survivors and victims and it seems to me if you are leading an inquiry you're walking with them to get to the truth."
Questioning Sir Martin's ability to lead the inquiry, Mr Lammy said: "He is a white, upper middle class man who I suspect has never visited a tower block housing estate and certainly has never slept a night on the 20th floor of one.
"I hope he will do that in the days ahead."
He added: "It's a shame that we couldn't find a woman to lead the inquiry or indeed an ethnic minority.
"I think the victims will also say to themselves when push comes to shove there are some powerful people here - contractors, sub-contractors, local authorities, governments - and they look like this judge.
"Whose side will he be on? He needs to get close to those victims and survivors very quickly and establish that he is after the truth and is fearless, independent and won't be swayed because he is part of the establishment."
On Saturday, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea confirmed it had suspended rent for residents forced to leave their homes in so-called "finger blocks" close to Grenfell Tower.
The three buildings, on Barandon Walk, Testerton Walk and Hurstway, have been without hot water since the neighbourhood's boiler - located beneath Grenfell Tower - was destroyed in the fire.
It came after a survivor of the blaze claimed she had been charged rent for her ruined flat.