London, Thanasis Gavos

British Prime Minister pledges that London’s Grenfell Tower tragedy and today’s finding into the circumstances leading up to it will mark a “moment of change” Sir Keir Starmer.

He was reacting from the floor of the House of Commons to the conclusion of the independent inquiry under Sir Martin Moore-Bick which found governments, construction companies, municipal authorities, contractors and the fire department responsible for the deaths of 72 residents in a fire that spread rapidly through the 24-hour building in June 2017.

The tragedy “should never have happened”, Mr Starmer said, also calling for a “long-awaited day of truth” which should lead to a “day of justice”.

Speaking of a need to change not only policies but also mindsets, Sir Keir noted: “This tragedy raises fundamental questions about the kind of country we are. A country where the voices of working class people and people of color have been repeatedly ignored and dismissed. A country where tenants in a social housing block in one of the wealthiest parts of the land are treated as second-class citizens, shamefully ignored.”

He said the government would study all 58 recommendations of Sir Martin’s report and respond thoroughly within six months. It will then carry out annual updates Parliament for progress on the commitments to be undertaken.

In terms of immediate measures, he announced the suspension of government contracts to construction companies involved in the Grenfell tragedy according to the finding, speeding up the replacement of existing unsuitable external cladding on almost 4,000 high-rise buildings in Britain and full support for police and prosecutors as they consider prosecuting those responsible.

Earlier, also reacting to today’s 1,700-page finding, relatives of Grenfell victims and survivors called on the Prime Minister to fully implement all recommendations and stressed that it is now up to the police and the prosecution to deliver justice, by prosecuting.