Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Apologizes for Government Failures in Grenfell Disaster After Damning Inquiry Report

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Apologizes for Government's Inability to Safeguard Grenfell Victims

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expresses profound apologies on behalf of the government following a critical report highlighting long-standing governmental failures.

Political correspondent @NifS

Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 2

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Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his profound apologies for the conduct of the British government following a scathing report on the Grenfell Tower fire, which accused ministers of neglecting to take action even though they were aware of the dangers posed by construction materials.

An important study on the catastrophe that resulted in 72 deaths in June 2017 was released earlier on Wednesday. Sir Martin Moor-Bick, the head of the Grenfell Inquiry, stated that a year prior to the blaze, the government clearly understood the lethal hazards presented by flammable cladding and insulation.

The report further indicated that there was widespread deception among the cladding and insulation firms involved, and described a harmful relationship between the tower's inhabitants and the Tenant Management Organisation (TMO), tasked with overseeing the services.

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Addressing the House of Commons, with members of the Grenfell community looking on from the gallery, the prime minister referenced Sir Martin's conclusions, stating: "The plain fact is that every death was preventable."

Residents of the tower were repeatedly let down over several years by almost every organization tasked with their safety, as detailed in the report.

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Referring to the report’s findings which highlighted "years of neglect by the central government" and noted that the ministers' focus on reducing bureaucratic "red tape" had "overwhelmed departmental priorities to the point where even issues critical to public safety were neglected, postponed, or overlooked," Sir Keir apologized.

"He began by extending a formal apology from the British government to every individual present, and to all families impacted by this devastating event," he stated.

"This incident was completely avoidable. The nation did not fulfill its primary obligation to safeguard you and your loved ones, whom we are committed to serve. For this, I am profoundly apologetic."

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The prime minister stated on Wednesday that the "long anticipated day of truth… should now usher in a day of justice," as he committed to achieving "complete accountability, including via the criminal justice system… as quickly as possible."

He stated that ministers would contact all the firms mentioned in the report, marking the initial move to prevent them from securing government contracts, and would assist the police and legal authorities with their ongoing investigations.

He vowed to take "stronger, more decisive measures to prevent such an event from recurring."

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Sir Keir announced that the government will review every suggestion presented in the report and will deliver a response within the next six months. He also committed to organizing a discussion about the matter in the Commons.

"He did note, however, that certain measures can be implemented immediately," he continued. These include expediting the process of removing cladding, introducing a legal mandate to compel compliance, and guaranteeing the safety and security of all newly constructed homes.

Discover more: In-depth analysis: The last deadly step in a series of human errors. View: Reading aloud the names of those who perished in the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The casualties of Grenfell Tower.

The head of the Labour Party disclosed that he had quietly visited Grenfell Tower fortnight earlier to place a wreath and pledge his support for efforts to establish a memorial at the location.

He described his experience: "Descending the tight stairway from the 23rd floor and observing the walls scorched by intense heat, I could only begin to imagine the sheer terror that must have been felt."

As I viewed samples of the exterior cladding of the structure and heard explanations of the disastrous and entirely preventable mishaps during that ill-fated renovation, I experienced a hint of the fury now emanating from within the building.

"It instilled in me a deep and personal resolve to ensure that the legacy of Grenfell Tower becomes a transformative change for our nation, which I aim to achieve as Prime Minister for the families, the survivors, and the local community."

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In reaction to Sir Keir's remarks, ex-prime minister and Conservative chief Rishi Sunak characterized the report as "a severe condemnation of more than three decades of continuous governmental shortcomings."

He extended his "sincerest apologies to the victims and their families," further stating, "The state failed you, and this must never happen again."

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