By Gavin Mackintosh-
A woman collapsed outside the Grenfell Tower inquiry after footage of the burning building was shown on screen without warning.
The footage was supposed to form part of a commemoration to the Choucair family, who lost three generation in the deadly fire.
Inquiry staff will face stern criticism for failing to notify those in attendance, particularly the many survivors and bereaved relatives present, before images of the doomed tower was shown
The two screens at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, South Kensington, where mourners gathered, instead featured the flames of fire as it consumed the block.
Earlier on Wednesday, chairman of the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick had been presented with a painting of Grenfell Tower’s burnt-out skeleton.
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Titled Eyesore: The Final Straw, the picture was created by Ms Mendy’s cousin, Damel Carayol, who also gave a copy to Theresa May recently.
It quoted Sir Martin’s own pledge to uncover the facts behind the tragedy, saying “work until the truth is laid bare”.
TEARS
Those affected by the loss of life caused by the fire could be seen visibly burying their faces in their hands, to shield them from the immediate nostalgia that would automatically follow watching the sorrowful scenes of horror. Tears flooded the faces of a large swathe of the people in attendance, as emotions began to run high on the sight of the fiery furnace that brought Britain to a mournful standstill on that fateful day. Loud cries pervaded the building right from the hallway.
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Acknowledging his failure to warn survivors about the shocking imagery, Mr Richmond said: “I’m sorry that the warning that should have been put out didn’t get put out.”
The sad scenes came as a second emotional day at the inquiry came to a close.
Thirteen victims had been commemorated by then; Debbie Lamprell, Maria del Pilar Burton, Rania Ibrahim, her daughters Fethia and Hania, Khadija Saye, Mary Mendy, and the six members of the Choucair family. Hesham Rahman was also due to be honoured.
Hisam Choucair, brother of Nadia and the son of Sirria, spoke movingly about the haunting flashbacks that memory of the experience had left with him.
“In one night I have lost half of my family. I feel like a stranger now. It has destroyed everything. I feel like part of me has been taken away.
“When I go past and look at the tower I have flashbacks. I know they are just pictures on my head but I can actually see people in the windows, dying, trying to get out.”
Today’s gathering was to commemorate the dead, but relatives of the dead made no secret of their main aim to see those guilty held accountable.
Karim Mussilhy, had shown a video tribute he made to his uncle Hesham Rahman, who resided on the 23rd floor of Grenfell in flat 204. He was counted among the dead that horrifying night.
The video showed family photos with Rahman’s sister and his young nephew Omar paying tribute to their uncle. “His personality made me stronger every time I was around him,” Omar said.
SYSTEM FAILURE
”We are here because the system failed to protect my uncle and 71 other souls, he said.
We are here because nobody listened, because that system is broken. You can’t hide behind rules and procedures. That’s what allowed people to die. Materials that are clearly dangerous are still on buildings all over the country, he said.
It is not good enough for the government to say it is going to remove this material.
We want light to be shone on what went wrong and who is responsible. We want an inquiry into the truth”
At this point, the second counsel to the inquiry, Bernard Richmond, interrupted him, urging the bereaved man to leave these points to be made at a later part of the inquiry. However
Mussilhy, who was undeterred, continued: ”We have been censored enough, . “You have a duty to the truth and not procedures because we will not let you forget,” he said.
Mussilhy closed his tribute with a poem by his uncle. “Remember my presence after my departure,” it said.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability will be difficult to escape for a tragedy on this scale, but those in the hot seat will already have their best excuses in. Many remain sceptical that former judge Moore-Bick, who is leading the inquiry will be prepared to bluntly hold to account those parties who have blood on their hands. Relatives and friends of the victims had originally protested against Moore-Bick being allowed to head the investigation after he once hinted that the inquiry may be restricted to precisely what caused the fire on the day in question.
He later promised to conduct a fair investigation. UK Prime Minister Theresa May eventually responded to pressure to appoint additional experts to help an inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire.
Survivors groups believed the inquiry could be a whitewash without a diverse panel that represents the local community to oversee the investigation.
BENEFIT OF DOUBT
With the extra panel working alongside Moore-Bick, they must be given the benefit of the doubt that this investigation will cut no corners or try to play down the role played by those bosses who should face punishment. The world is watching, and so are we.
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