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SURVIVORS of the Grenfell Tower tragedy last night slammed the judge leading an inquiry into the fire - saying he is not "going to do us justice".

Residents of the doomed building attacked Sir Martin Moore-Bick and his inquiry panel because they are nearly all white.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick arriving at a public meeting of Grenfell survivors last night
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Sir Martin Moore-Bick arriving at a public meeting of Grenfell survivors last nightCredit: PA:Press Association

And they slammed him for not working fast enough, saying the inquiry should have already started six weeks after the high-rise disaster.

Sir Martin, a retired judge with decades of experience, spoke to a meeting of survivors and relatives in West London last night.

Several of those present demanded that he resign because he does not represent the Grenfell community.

One survivor told the judge: "I don't think you are going to do us justice... We need someone who's real.

"We need justice and we need it fast, and we don't need someone who is going to play around for six weeks.

"Six weeks people have had to wait for this and you are only just looking into this now?"

Sir Martin arriving at the West London church where the meeting was held
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Sir Martin arriving at the West London church where the meeting was heldCredit: PA:Press Association

Sir Martin attended the public meeting with other members of his inquiry team - five out of six of whom are white.

One Grenfell resident said to them: "Look at us. Where is that reflected in you? Who are you going to put on the panel to inject trust and confidence?"

Another added: "You do not have our confidence, you do not represent us and you do not look like any of us."

After the event, Sir Martin vowed to consider measures to increase the diversity of his panel.

He also defended the delay in the start of the inquiry, saying the Government wanted to ensure it was taking the views of locals into account before beginning work.

Grenfell Tower after the fire
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At least 80 people died in the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower last monthCredit: Reuters

Sir Martin said: "That's why we've extended the consultation period to August 4 specifically at the request of local people.

"But of course it does postpone the date we can actually start the work."

Among the subjects which will come under the inquiry are the building regulations, the installation of inflammable cladding, the tower's gas pipes and the council's renovations to the building.

Sir Martin pointed out that if the panel ends up also examining the fire's aftermath, it will further delay the inquiry's progress.

During the meeting, some residents called for individuals to face criminal charges over the fire, which left at least 80 people dead.

The judge replied: "I have no power to do anything in relation to criminal responsibility."

Sir Martin was appointed by Theresa May to investigate the causes of the disaster and make recommendations for how to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.

Grenfell victims 'hounded by ambulance-chasing lawyers'

Grenfell survivors were today warned against "ambulance-chasing" lawyers hounding them to try and offer their services.

 

Labour's Diane Abbott has written to the Law Society and Bar Council claiming she has received several complaints about law firms' behaviour.

She said victims of the disaster had been "intimidated" into signing up with particular companies.

One large firm suspended two employees earlier this month after they attempted to target Grenfell Tower resident.

Ms Abbott wrote: "I am sure that we all agree that this type of behaviour 'ambulance-chasing' is disgraceful and should not be tolerated in any circumstance."

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