The vital lesson that must be learnt from the Grenfell inquiry

Today’s long-awaited publication of the final report of the Grenfell Tower inquiry provides a forensic account of the ‘root causes’ of the tragedy that led to the loss of 72 lives. More than seven years since those awful early morning hours of 14 June 2017, Sir Martin Moore Bick’s 1,694 page report represents another traumatic reference point for the victims and their relatives. First and foremost, it is important to recognise their continued suffering and to extend heartfelt sympathy to all those impacted by the tragedy. 

Six weeks after the fire, I assisted the choreographer Arlene Phillips in arranging the Gala for Grenfell at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End. In preparation for that event, we visited the ravaged tower and its surrounding environs. It was heartbreaking to see the posters of the missing (especially the children) all around the area. One of the six police officers that accompanied us advised me not to mention to anyone we met that I worked in the construction industry.