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| Grenfell inquiry continues after harrowing second day – live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Michael Mansfield QC is reading a commemoration by Lee Disson about his father Tony (Anthony) Disson because Lee felt unable to read it himself. | |
| Tony was born into a close knit family in Notting Hill. He met Lee’s mother in 1967, they began dating the following year and Lee was born in 1970. Tony was not permitted to be in the delivery room but was waiting at the hospital when Lee was born. | |
| Lee was a member of Brunswick Boys Club and his father was a coach there. | |
| I was with him [dad] wherever he went. I don’t remember ever missing an event that was taking place. | |
| This included various sports and camping trips. | |
| One of the most emotional moments of the #GrenfellInquiry so far when the sweet, innocent voice of 4 year old Fethia Hassan is played over the speakers. She was blowing kisses to her cousins. She sounded so full of love and light. | |
| A recording of 5 yr old Fethia Hassan is played where she tells her family she loves them. “I want to hug and kiss you” | |
| A fascinating and terribly moving insight into the love and solidarity within a large Egyptian family - and particularly the mutual support that the female members gave each other.Ruth Michaelson discovered very strong bonds between Rania Ibrahim and her siblings when she wrote for the Guardian about the Egyptian woman who died aged 31. | |
| But we didn’t know that Rania was effectively raised by her oldest sister Sayeda - and that she returned that devotion by coming to London when Sayeda fell ill, and helped her sibling raise her four young children. | |
| It is striking how tightly these two lives were interwoven, with their children closer than most cousins I know. And extraordinarily poignant that, as Sayeda says, she was present at Rania’s birth, at the moments Rania gave birth, and then at her funeral too. | |
| The family of Rania Ibrahim broke down in tears on the stage at the front of the inquiry as audio of Fethia, Ayesha’s daughter, was played at the end of their video tribute. | |
| Pictures are shown of Rania Ibrahim on her wedding day in 2011, after becoming engaged earlier that year and at an Eid celebration. Photographs are also being shown of her daughters Fethia, 4, and Hania, 3, who also died. | |
| She was beautiful and she liked making sure everyone around her was also happy and beautiful. | |
| Aiasha Ibrahim is overcome by emotion in the video as she continues reading the statement by eldest sister Sayeda. | |
| Rania will always be remembered for her smile and selfnessness ...she was like my right hand ...We were once a family. | |
| She says if Rania was alive, she would be at the forefront of the fight for justice for the victims of Grenfell. | |
| A week before the fire, Rania told Sayeda how lucky she was to have her as a sister. | |
| The chair, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, pays tribute to Aiasha for her bravery in reading the statement in the video and there is a round of applause. | |
| She says Rania’s favourite subjects were maths, English and ICT, she also loved poetry and was deeply religious. | |
| Rania wanted to become a lawyer. She said the family did not have much money but Rania wanted to help other people. | |
| Rania made a lot of sandwiches at home and put them in large containers and gave them to other pupils at school. | |
| When Sayeda became ill with cancer, Rania, aged 22, moved to the UK from Egypt and Sayeda says their previous roles were reversed, with Rania looking after Sayeda like Rania was the mother and Sayeda was the daughter. | |
| I took care of Rania when she was young. When she came to the UK, she did the same for me...She never complained. | |
| First up is a further commemoration for Rania Ibrahim, 31, and her children Fethia, 4, and Hania, 3. It’s a video, introduced by a family friend, which begins with her sister Sayeda Ibrahim’s daughter Aiasha Ibrahim reading a statement on her mother’s behalf. | |
| In the statement, Sayeda Ibrahim says she is the eldest of five sisters and three brothers. She says when Rania was born, her mother was initially disappointed because she wanted a boy. | |
| She says: | |
| I was the first to hold her, she was a beautiful angel, so light and soft...I really felt as if she was my own daughter. | |
| She says Rania looked at her like a mother. | |
| Rania turned out to be a tomboy. I would dress her up in more boyish clothes and cut her hair short ...I raised her to be a very brave and strong woman. | |
| Inquiry staff have handed out a “trigger sheet” on the content of video tributes for Grenfell tower victims due to be played today, after some 20 survivors walked out and one woman collapsed in distress after viewing footage of tower on fire. | Inquiry staff have handed out a “trigger sheet” on the content of video tributes for Grenfell tower victims due to be played today, after some 20 survivors walked out and one woman collapsed in distress after viewing footage of tower on fire. |
| Inquiry proceedings were halted for half an hour during Tuesday’s session after the footage was played of the tower on fire and people trapped behind the windows. Bernie Richmond QC, beginning the proceedings, said: “The one today that I draw your attention to is the very powerful video that has been produced by the brother of Ernie Vital.” | Inquiry proceedings were halted for half an hour during Tuesday’s session after the footage was played of the tower on fire and people trapped behind the windows. Bernie Richmond QC, beginning the proceedings, said: “The one today that I draw your attention to is the very powerful video that has been produced by the brother of Ernie Vital.” |
| According to the trigger sheet, the commemoration of Barbara and Ernie vital contains images of Grenfell tower after the fire, including footage from inside the burt tower. | According to the trigger sheet, the commemoration of Barbara and Ernie vital contains images of Grenfell tower after the fire, including footage from inside the burt tower. |
| Learning from its mistakes. The #GrenfellInquiry has now published a “trigger sheet” which informs attendees of any potentially upsetting content in the commemorations. Follows awful scenes yday when several people needed medical attention after footage of the fire was played. pic.twitter.com/iZFMDGsyM3 | Learning from its mistakes. The #GrenfellInquiry has now published a “trigger sheet” which informs attendees of any potentially upsetting content in the commemorations. Follows awful scenes yday when several people needed medical attention after footage of the fire was played. pic.twitter.com/iZFMDGsyM3 |
| Sheets of paper have been placed on seats at the inquiry warning attendees when there may be “particularly upsetting” content. | Sheets of paper have been placed on seats at the inquiry warning attendees when there may be “particularly upsetting” content. |
| It follows turbulent scenes yesterday, when footage of the tower engulfed in flames was broadcast as part of a commemoration without anyone being warned beforehand. Several further commemorations will include footage of the tower on fire and of its interior after the blaze. | It follows turbulent scenes yesterday, when footage of the tower engulfed in flames was broadcast as part of a commemoration without anyone being warned beforehand. Several further commemorations will include footage of the tower on fire and of its interior after the blaze. |
| NHS Grenfell Outreach Team on site today @grenfellinquiry. They are wearing green t-shirts and carrying ID. @Hestia1970 counsellors are also present. More details below, including contact details for help if you have left the Inquiry. Source: https://t.co/Hw81tzOYfb #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/5izDdjftdy | NHS Grenfell Outreach Team on site today @grenfellinquiry. They are wearing green t-shirts and carrying ID. @Hestia1970 counsellors are also present. More details below, including contact details for help if you have left the Inquiry. Source: https://t.co/Hw81tzOYfb #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/5izDdjftdy |
| Proceedings should commence any minute. Meanwhile, it is worth pointing out that the Guardian’s portraits of the all 72 people who died in the fire are being updated each day of the commemorations as more details emerge about them. | Proceedings should commence any minute. Meanwhile, it is worth pointing out that the Guardian’s portraits of the all 72 people who died in the fire are being updated each day of the commemorations as more details emerge about them. |
| One of the first contributors to give testimony at the inquiry has challenged social media criticism directed at bereaved families who have paid tribute to their loved ones in the opening two days. | One of the first contributors to give testimony at the inquiry has challenged social media criticism directed at bereaved families who have paid tribute to their loved ones in the opening two days. |
| Michael Volpe, general director of Holland Park Opera, read a tribute to Debbie Lamprell who lived on the 16th on behalf of her 79-year-old mother Miriam at the start of the second day of the inquiry. | Michael Volpe, general director of Holland Park Opera, read a tribute to Debbie Lamprell who lived on the 16th on behalf of her 79-year-old mother Miriam at the start of the second day of the inquiry. |
| He said he had been a “astonished” by the “utter hatred and nastiness towards the victims and survivors I have seen on social media and elsewhere”. | He said he had been a “astonished” by the “utter hatred and nastiness towards the victims and survivors I have seen on social media and elsewhere”. |
| In a statement posted on Twitter, Volpe pleaded for understanding and gave a passionate defence of the commemorative hearings taking place at the inquiry. | In a statement posted on Twitter, Volpe pleaded for understanding and gave a passionate defence of the commemorative hearings taking place at the inquiry. |
| I had to get this off my chest.#GrenfellInquiry 💚 pic.twitter.com/1uxDEuEfSi | I had to get this off my chest.#GrenfellInquiry 💚 pic.twitter.com/1uxDEuEfSi |
| After reading the tribute to Lamprell, Volpe says he was comforted by Marcio Gomes, who described how his pregnant wife lost their son Logan on the opening day of the inquiry. | After reading the tribute to Lamprell, Volpe says he was comforted by Marcio Gomes, who described how his pregnant wife lost their son Logan on the opening day of the inquiry. |
| Volpe said he decided to speak out after reading comments questioning the veracity of Gomes’ testimony. | Volpe said he decided to speak out after reading comments questioning the veracity of Gomes’ testimony. |
| He said: “I met a man today whose son was stillborn after the tragedy, but came to console Miriam, to shake my hand to comfort me, who’d merely read an address. I left the inquiry only to read someone saying on Twitter that the man’s story had been a set up. If you have any belief or faith in the decency of this country, you need to stand to up and challenge such hatred.” | He said: “I met a man today whose son was stillborn after the tragedy, but came to console Miriam, to shake my hand to comfort me, who’d merely read an address. I left the inquiry only to read someone saying on Twitter that the man’s story had been a set up. If you have any belief or faith in the decency of this country, you need to stand to up and challenge such hatred.” |
| He added: “My plea is that whatever you hear, whatever you think, try to understand what it is that these families have suffered.” | He added: “My plea is that whatever you hear, whatever you think, try to understand what it is that these families have suffered.” |
| Speaking to the Guardian, Volpe added: “Every single day I see people challenging the veracity of how the fire began of who the people were. I don’t think that is hate speech I just think it’s a neutering of decency, but I’ve seen tonnes of hate speech towards the Grenfell victims. You can’t see a thread about Grenfell where somebody doesn’t go ‘what about the bloke with the fridge?’” | Speaking to the Guardian, Volpe added: “Every single day I see people challenging the veracity of how the fire began of who the people were. I don’t think that is hate speech I just think it’s a neutering of decency, but I’ve seen tonnes of hate speech towards the Grenfell victims. You can’t see a thread about Grenfell where somebody doesn’t go ‘what about the bloke with the fridge?’” |
| He added: “I personally haven’t been attacked, I’ve just challenge people when I’ve seen it. You know what people just stop. Just have a little bit of bloody decency and little bit of humanity. That’s all.” | He added: “I personally haven’t been attacked, I’ve just challenge people when I’ve seen it. You know what people just stop. Just have a little bit of bloody decency and little bit of humanity. That’s all.” |
| Survivors and the bereaved attending the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry are “really struggling” as they sit through what feels like a multiple funeral each day, a nurse leading the outreach response has said. | Survivors and the bereaved attending the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry are “really struggling” as they sit through what feels like a multiple funeral each day, a nurse leading the outreach response has said. |
| Emma Kennedy, manager of the Grenfell outreach team, was among NHS staff at the inquiry yesterday, when people fled the room in tears after seeing footage of the burning high-rise without prior warning. | Emma Kennedy, manager of the Grenfell outreach team, was among NHS staff at the inquiry yesterday, when people fled the room in tears after seeing footage of the burning high-rise without prior warning. |
| Staff from Central and North West London NHS trust (CNWL) will propose to the inquiry that private mindfulness sessions be run at the beginning and end of each day. This would help bring people away from the adrenaline of the room, they believe. | Staff from Central and North West London NHS trust (CNWL) will propose to the inquiry that private mindfulness sessions be run at the beginning and end of each day. This would help bring people away from the adrenaline of the room, they believe. |
| Kennedy said: | Kennedy said: |
| Yesterday the video of the burning building with people at the window gave rise to panic. | Yesterday the video of the burning building with people at the window gave rise to panic. |
| Two people were carried out both needing NHS staff to ‘ground’ them when they were experiencing collapse and panic attacks. We managed to bring her (the woman) back. | Two people were carried out both needing NHS staff to ‘ground’ them when they were experiencing collapse and panic attacks. We managed to bring her (the woman) back. |
| Others started to fall, another gentleman had to be taken out. | Others started to fall, another gentleman had to be taken out. |
| It’s very heavy, emotionally, it’s like being at a funeral for multiple people for six hours. | It’s very heavy, emotionally, it’s like being at a funeral for multiple people for six hours. |
| CNWL staff and counsellors have been standing around the perimeter of the main room as commemorations are heard, ready to take people out for counselling or “grounding” if they become distressed. | CNWL staff and counsellors have been standing around the perimeter of the main room as commemorations are heard, ready to take people out for counselling or “grounding” if they become distressed. |
| They are recognisable by their green T-shirts and green and orange scarves. There are also teams providing massages and breathing exercises to reduce anxiety. Kennedy said: “We know most of the survivors, so going for coffee, checking in with them regularly during the day, always helps.” | They are recognisable by their green T-shirts and green and orange scarves. There are also teams providing massages and breathing exercises to reduce anxiety. Kennedy said: “We know most of the survivors, so going for coffee, checking in with them regularly during the day, always helps.” |
| Yesterday, Bernard Richmond QC reminded attendees that support was available if they needed it. | Yesterday, Bernard Richmond QC reminded attendees that support was available if they needed it. |
| But he later apologised after failing to warn people that a filmed commemoration would include footage of the tower ablaze and people calling for help. | But he later apologised after failing to warn people that a filmed commemoration would include footage of the tower ablaze and people calling for help. |
| Welcome to our live coverage of the third day of the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire. | Welcome to our live coverage of the third day of the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire. |
| Tributes are continuing to the 72 who died in the fire. The commemorations so far have been both moving and harrowing. | Tributes are continuing to the 72 who died in the fire. The commemorations so far have been both moving and harrowing. |
| Yesterday was particularly difficult as 20 survivors walked out in distress and a woman collapsed in an apparent panic attack during a video presentation about the deaths of six members of the same family. | Yesterday was particularly difficult as 20 survivors walked out in distress and a woman collapsed in an apparent panic attack during a video presentation about the deaths of six members of the same family. |
| The family in question was the Choucairs. More tributes will be paid to them today. | The family in question was the Choucairs. More tributes will be paid to them today. |
| Sirria Choucair, 60, a hospital caterer who lived on the 22nd floor in a flat neighbouring his sister, died along with her daughter Nadia, 33, a nursery teacher, son-in-law Bassem, 40, a supervisor at Marks and Spencer, and their three daughters, Mierna, 13, Fatima, 11, and Zaynab, three. | Sirria Choucair, 60, a hospital caterer who lived on the 22nd floor in a flat neighbouring his sister, died along with her daughter Nadia, 33, a nursery teacher, son-in-law Bassem, 40, a supervisor at Marks and Spencer, and their three daughters, Mierna, 13, Fatima, 11, and Zaynab, three. |
| Yesterday, the inquiry heard from Sirria’s son Hisam Choucair, who described the fire as an “atrocity” caused by the segregation of rich and poor, and his sister Sawson. | Yesterday, the inquiry heard from Sirria’s son Hisam Choucair, who described the fire as an “atrocity” caused by the segregation of rich and poor, and his sister Sawson. |
| There will also be more tributes today to Rania Ibrahim, who lived on the 23rd floor and her daughters Fethia, five, and Hania, three, who all died. Yesterday, the inquiry heard from Rania’s sister Rasha Ibrahim, who said she had flown in from Egypt to take part because “it is very important for me to take part in this process of questioning to find out the truth”. | There will also be more tributes today to Rania Ibrahim, who lived on the 23rd floor and her daughters Fethia, five, and Hania, three, who all died. Yesterday, the inquiry heard from Rania’s sister Rasha Ibrahim, who said she had flown in from Egypt to take part because “it is very important for me to take part in this process of questioning to find out the truth”. |
| Proceedings are due to commence at 10am. Here is a full list of those who will be commemorated today: | Proceedings are due to commence at 10am. Here is a full list of those who will be commemorated today: |
| The programme for today's commemorative hearing. A link to the live stream will be posted prior to commencing at 10am. pic.twitter.com/hYYpDnlVdo | The programme for today's commemorative hearing. A link to the live stream will be posted prior to commencing at 10am. pic.twitter.com/hYYpDnlVdo |