The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged “deep reflection and meaningful change” in response to the findings of the Grenfell Inquiry final report – the government inquiry into the June 14-15, 2017 fire at the Grenfell Tower in the London borough of Kensington that left 72 people dead – the deadliest residential fire in Britain since the second world war.
The seven volume report released today concluded the high death toll in the 24-storey residential tower owned by the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and managed by the Tenant Management Organisation, was the result of “decades of failure by central government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry.”
“The simple truth is that the deaths that occurred were all avoidable, and that those who lived in the tower were badly failed over a number of years and in a number of different ways by those who were responsible for ensuring the safety of the building and its occupants,” said the head of the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick.
The rview documented failures, mistakes and malfeasance by the national and local government, the building management firm, the manufacturer of the building materials used in construction, the architects who designed the building and the fire brigade.
“Not all of them bear the same degree of responsibility for the eventual disaster, but, as our reports show, all contributed to it in one way or another, in most cases through incompetence but in some cases through dishonesty and greed,” Sir Martin said.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, it was “chilling to read that systematic dishonesty and a refusal to listen to concerns were in part to blame for Grenfell Tower becoming a death trap. This is a dreadful reminder that human lives should never be sacrificed in the pursuit of profit.”
The findings must “prompt deep reflection and meaningful change from all those identified as having failed victims,” he said, noting the necessity for safe and adequate housing in Britain. “This tragedy shows us that we must cherish and protect everyone in our society, and that safety should not just be the preserve of the wealthy,” he said in a September 4 statement.
The Archbishop’s statement is appended below:
“The survivors and families of the 72 people who died in the Grenfell Tower seven years ago are in our prayers today. The hundreds of bereaved people who have contributed to this painstaking inquiry have shown extraordinary courage – often reliving their deep grief, unimaginable loss and the horrors of that terrible night.
“The report published today must enable survivors to move closer towards securing justice, which seven years on from the fire, is long overdue. Its findings must also prompt deep reflection and meaningful change from all those identified as having failed victims – from politicians to the tenant management organisation, builders, fire-testing experts and material manufacturers – to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
“It is chilling to read that systematic dishonesty and a refusal to listen to concerns were in part to blame for Grenfell Tower becoming a death trap. This is a dreadful reminder that human lives should never be sacrificed in the pursuit of profit.
“Home should be a place where we all feel safe, a sanctuary where we are able to grow and develop. But despite being in one of the richest cities in the world, home was not that for the residents of the Grenfell Tower. This tragedy shows us that we must cherish and protect everyone in our society, and that safety should not just be the preserve of the wealthy. We must commit to building a housing system that is safe and fair for everyone in this country.”
