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Grenfell inquiry: safety tests on cladding called into question – live updates Grenfell inquiry: safety tests on cladding called into question – live updates
(35 minutes later)
We knew little of Ernie and Marjorie Vital’s life before today: when we tried to contact the family via a friend, we were told they were keen to keep details under wraps until the inquiry.
So it was touching to hear of Marjorie’s early life in Dominica, her sewing talents, the way she helped raise some of her siblings after her parents had left for London in the 1950s. Indeed, there were certain parallels with the big Ibrahim family of whom we heard so much earlier in the day.
So many of these commemorations have revolved around family members giving up their own ambitions for the sake of their children, and this sounds very much like Marjorie’s life. When it comes to Ernie, we knew even less. His brother filled in a few of the blanks - “we constantly watched TV because we didn’t really go out” - but even after the testimony his life remains something of a mystery, particularly given the oblique references to the suffering he endured.
Now it is on to a video, containing the potentially triggering content, from Marjorie Vital’s surviving son, who is not at the inquiry and whose name is not given.
In the video’s narration, he says:
Every day I was on top of the world ...We had moments of sadness but we had moments of happiness ...It was a safe haven, Caribbean people had a very difficult time.
The video includes some of his drawings.
Footage of Earth, Wind and Fire is played, which he says reminds him of his brother Ernie, who was a “very good dancer”.
Now comes the content, which people were warned about, as he ruminates on his mother and brother’s attempt to escape. We are told they went to the top floor, found an empty flat, went into the bathroom and filled a bath.
We now have the evidence that their bodies were fused together in the intensity of the fire ...It symbolised to me the level of closeness they had.
He likens it to his brother still being connected to his mother through an umbilical cord.
The video concludes with him relaying how he took the ashes of his mother and brother to scatter in Domenica.
I’ve never seen the water this blue ...As I start to release the ashes ...I was breathing in the ashes, it was a magical moment. In a weird kind of way I became closer to them.
Moore-Bick’s head is bowed at the conclusion of the video and applause breaks out.
That concludes the inquiry for today.
Firstly Paula Bellot, Marjorie’s sister speaks.
She says Marjorie was a good cook and seamstress, who sewed her school uniform for her. She says Marjorie had home economic lessons and would return home and cook what she had learnt including an omelette.
She loved living in the tower and was very proud of her home which was always clean and tidy ..Mama and Papa used to tease her, calling it ‘Marjorie’s Tower’
Bellot says that she lost touch with Marjorie despite efforts to contact her. She believed her sister might be ill, on one occasion she went to the flat but Marjorie did not answer the door.
I am so saddened by Marjorie’s death and I miss her. I always thought we would have time again to become close in the future and to spend more time together.
The final commemorations are for Marjorie Vital, 68, and her son Ernie, 50, who were in flat 162 on the 16th floor. The second part will involve images of Grenfell Tower which have been deemed to be of a potentially “triggering” nature and so people who wish to will be given the opportunity to leave beforehandThe final commemorations are for Marjorie Vital, 68, and her son Ernie, 50, who were in flat 162 on the 16th floor. The second part will involve images of Grenfell Tower which have been deemed to be of a potentially “triggering” nature and so people who wish to will be given the opportunity to leave beforehand
Another commemoration, another sorely missed family man: when I spoke to his nieces in December, they described Gary Maunders as a witty, sociable practical joker, always the life and soul of the party.Another commemoration, another sorely missed family man: when I spoke to his nieces in December, they described Gary Maunders as a witty, sociable practical joker, always the life and soul of the party.
It is clear he played a big part in their upbringing, a father figure certainly, as they were raised in their grandmother’s house, which Gary didn’t leave until he was in his early 40s.It is clear he played a big part in their upbringing, a father figure certainly, as they were raised in their grandmother’s house, which Gary didn’t leave until he was in his early 40s.
The family are particularly reticent to speak about why he was in the tower that night; it is believed he was in a relationship with the person he was with, who also died in the tragedy.The family are particularly reticent to speak about why he was in the tower that night; it is believed he was in a relationship with the person he was with, who also died in the tragedy.
The video continues with Gary Maunders’ daughters remembering him making roast potatoes at Christmas dinner and taking his children on holiday every year, including a holiday in Spain, which Chanel and Kenita went to.The video continues with Gary Maunders’ daughters remembering him making roast potatoes at Christmas dinner and taking his children on holiday every year, including a holiday in Spain, which Chanel and Kenita went to.
The pain of losing him is indescribable ....Our uncle had a lot to offer as he had values, not financial but of character.The pain of losing him is indescribable ....Our uncle had a lot to offer as he had values, not financial but of character.
He was proud of being able to do press-ups on one hand when in his 50s.He was proud of being able to do press-ups on one hand when in his 50s.
Speaking of his death:Speaking of his death:
It’s haunting, it’s tormenting, we miss him terribly every day. We hope he is at peace in heaven ...being happy and resting well. There’s never a day that passes that we do not think of our uncle ...the love will never die. Our uncle was a legend, he touched so many people by his good nature.It’s haunting, it’s tormenting, we miss him terribly every day. We hope he is at peace in heaven ...being happy and resting well. There’s never a day that passes that we do not think of our uncle ...the love will never die. Our uncle was a legend, he touched so many people by his good nature.
One of the still images on the video reads:One of the still images on the video reads:
It’s hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember. Rest in peace uncle.It’s hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember. Rest in peace uncle.
That was a beautiful video, which is enthusiastically applauded.That was a beautiful video, which is enthusiastically applauded.
The second part of the commemoration to Gary Maunders is by Chanel and Kenita Spence, his nieces. It is a video with Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? playing in the background.The second part of the commemoration to Gary Maunders is by Chanel and Kenita Spence, his nieces. It is a video with Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? playing in the background.
Chanel says:Chanel says:
He was not just our uncle, the bond we had was more of an older brother or father figure ...He taught us life lessons.He was not just our uncle, the bond we had was more of an older brother or father figure ...He taught us life lessons.
She refers to his love of football and how he was himself a talented football in his youth.She refers to his love of football and how he was himself a talented football in his youth.
Kenita describes him as “a very wise man, comical and witty”. She describes him as an “old fashioned soul”. She says Maunders loved Marvin Gaye and also Sade.Kenita describes him as “a very wise man, comical and witty”. She describes him as an “old fashioned soul”. She says Maunders loved Marvin Gaye and also Sade.
He was a religious man with “a heart of gold”. He wanted to visit children in poor countries to help them.He was a religious man with “a heart of gold”. He wanted to visit children in poor countries to help them.
The inquiry resumes after the lunch break with a tribute to Gary Maunders, 57, who was in flat 161 on the 23rd floor. He was one of the few victims who did not live in the tower but was visiting a friend.The inquiry resumes after the lunch break with a tribute to Gary Maunders, 57, who was in flat 161 on the 23rd floor. He was one of the few victims who did not live in the tower but was visiting a friend.
The tribute is being read by Michael Mansfield QC on behalf of Ana Pumar, mother of two of his children, Aaron, 15, and Saskia, 10.The tribute is being read by Michael Mansfield QC on behalf of Ana Pumar, mother of two of his children, Aaron, 15, and Saskia, 10.
Pumar says he was part of her life for 27 years although they were separated for the last nine.Pumar says he was part of her life for 27 years although they were separated for the last nine.
The early years were spent together were filled with love, affection and laughter ...Gary was always the life and soul of everything we did and everywhere we went.The early years were spent together were filled with love, affection and laughter ...Gary was always the life and soul of everything we did and everywhere we went.
She says his mother was heartbroken by his death and his children devastated.She says his mother was heartbroken by his death and his children devastated.
Sadly for us, future milestones will be reached without having their father present and future memories will not involve their father which is heartbreaking for us. We all hope Gary is at peace but he will live on in our hearts and minds and will never be forgotten.Sadly for us, future milestones will be reached without having their father present and future memories will not involve their father which is heartbreaking for us. We all hope Gary is at peace but he will live on in our hearts and minds and will never be forgotten.
Applause follows.Applause follows.
Survivors, mourners and their supporters at the Grenfell inquiry have expressed their disquiet at plans to transplant proceedings from the conference centre in south Kensington to offices in Holborn once tributes to the victims are completed.Survivors, mourners and their supporters at the Grenfell inquiry have expressed their disquiet at plans to transplant proceedings from the conference centre in south Kensington to offices in Holborn once tributes to the victims are completed.
Attendees at the hearing on Wednesday said that the first phase of the inquiry, in which tributes to all the victims are being given, were troubling for survivors and mourners, who had to repeat the trauma of the fire last June.Attendees at the hearing on Wednesday said that the first phase of the inquiry, in which tributes to all the victims are being given, were troubling for survivors and mourners, who had to repeat the trauma of the fire last June.
It was judged a necessary step to impress on members of the inquiry panel and its chair, Martin Moore-Bick, the human disaster of Grenfell “but we have already lived through it,” said one.It was judged a necessary step to impress on members of the inquiry panel and its chair, Martin Moore-Bick, the human disaster of Grenfell “but we have already lived through it,” said one.
After the first phase of the inquiry, at the Millennium Gloucester hotel, is complete, the proceedings will move to offices in Holborn, which is judged to be a more convenient location for the lawyers and experts who are to dominate the second half.After the first phase of the inquiry, at the Millennium Gloucester hotel, is complete, the proceedings will move to offices in Holborn, which is judged to be a more convenient location for the lawyers and experts who are to dominate the second half.
As the inquiry paused for a lunch break, attendees huddled in groups around the hotel conference centre discussing the proceedings and what was to come next. Professor Chris Imafidon, who said he had tutored children who lost parents in the fire, said:As the inquiry paused for a lunch break, attendees huddled in groups around the hotel conference centre discussing the proceedings and what was to come next. Professor Chris Imafidon, who said he had tutored children who lost parents in the fire, said:
They say they are doing us a favour by coming here. We have to make the survivors who came out of that hellhole the core consideration in everything we do. If we don’t we are less than humans. I know these people - I have written references for them.They say they are doing us a favour by coming here. We have to make the survivors who came out of that hellhole the core consideration in everything we do. If we don’t we are less than humans. I know these people - I have written references for them.
They say this is just for this period because it’s better in Holborn for all the lawyers and all the judges that are there; they said they can’t find a convenient place here. Everything that’s perceived to be the needs of the survivors, the first thing they say no. That insensitivity, that arrogance! That they know everything and we know nothing because we’re poor.They say this is just for this period because it’s better in Holborn for all the lawyers and all the judges that are there; they said they can’t find a convenient place here. Everything that’s perceived to be the needs of the survivors, the first thing they say no. That insensitivity, that arrogance! That they know everything and we know nothing because we’re poor.
Yvette Williams, who was also among those visiting on Wednesday, said she was concerned about who would be chosen as “additional panel members” to the inquiry board, additions that the community had fought for. In a recent blog on the Justice4Grenfell website, she wrote:Yvette Williams, who was also among those visiting on Wednesday, said she was concerned about who would be chosen as “additional panel members” to the inquiry board, additions that the community had fought for. In a recent blog on the Justice4Grenfell website, she wrote:
It has not been made clear if the two additional members will have equal decision-making powers to Judge Moore-Bick; how they will be selected; if there will be any community consultation or if they will be forced upon us, based on the civil servant’s perception of what they ‘think’ we want.It has not been made clear if the two additional members will have equal decision-making powers to Judge Moore-Bick; how they will be selected; if there will be any community consultation or if they will be forced upon us, based on the civil servant’s perception of what they ‘think’ we want.
Let me be clear here, we need panel members who understand our lived experience and can challenge key factors that adversely impact communities like North Kensington. This means panel members will have to probe and challenge the Judge in a wider context and not accept government legislation and public policy as ‘normal’, as part of the accepted status quo.Let me be clear here, we need panel members who understand our lived experience and can challenge key factors that adversely impact communities like North Kensington. This means panel members will have to probe and challenge the Judge in a wider context and not accept government legislation and public policy as ‘normal’, as part of the accepted status quo.
For the record it does not solely mean that both panel members have to ‘look like us’. Yes, it would give more community confidence in the Inquiry, but it is not intrinsic to having the expertise we need. To put this in plain English - it is vital that the PM and inquiry team does not select panel members who look like us but ‘act’ like them.For the record it does not solely mean that both panel members have to ‘look like us’. Yes, it would give more community confidence in the Inquiry, but it is not intrinsic to having the expertise we need. To put this in plain English - it is vital that the PM and inquiry team does not select panel members who look like us but ‘act’ like them.
The government is “minded” to ban flammable cladding on high-rise buildings in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, Theresa May has said.The government is “minded” to ban flammable cladding on high-rise buildings in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, Theresa May has said.
The prime minister told MPs she intended to go further than the government-commissioned review authored by Dame Judith Hackitt, which did not recommend a ban.The prime minister told MPs she intended to go further than the government-commissioned review authored by Dame Judith Hackitt, which did not recommend a ban.
Here is a summary of developments so far on day three of the inquiry:Here is a summary of developments so far on day three of the inquiry:
The manufacturer of the combustible insulation on Grenfell Tower has announced it is urgently investigating whether samples used for safety tests had added fire retardant in them. BBC’s Panorama alleged that Celotex used a different formula of the product, with more fire retardant in it that that which was used on Grenfell, when they ran tests on it to generate a safety certificate.The manufacturer of the combustible insulation on Grenfell Tower has announced it is urgently investigating whether samples used for safety tests had added fire retardant in them. BBC’s Panorama alleged that Celotex used a different formula of the product, with more fire retardant in it that that which was used on Grenfell, when they ran tests on it to generate a safety certificate.
Inquiry staff have handed out a “trigger sheet” warning about some content within video tributes for Grenfell tower victims due to be played today. It comes after some 20 survivors walked out yesterday and one woman collapsed in distress after viewing footage of the tower on fire.Inquiry staff have handed out a “trigger sheet” warning about some content within video tributes for Grenfell tower victims due to be played today. It comes after some 20 survivors walked out yesterday and one woman collapsed in distress after viewing footage of the tower on fire.
In a video tribute to Rania Ibrahim, 31, and her children Fethia, 5, and Hania, 3, the inquiry heard she would be remembered for her “smile and selflessness”. The video ended with highly emotional footage of Fethia saying: “I want to hug and kiss you.”In a video tribute to Rania Ibrahim, 31, and her children Fethia, 5, and Hania, 3, the inquiry heard she would be remembered for her “smile and selflessness”. The video ended with highly emotional footage of Fethia saying: “I want to hug and kiss you.”
Tony Disson, 65, was described by his family as someone who would do anything for his sons, coaching them at different sports. One son Charlie, said: “He weren’t [sic] one of the richest people in the world but he was rich with love.”Tony Disson, 65, was described by his family as someone who would do anything for his sons, coaching them at different sports. One son Charlie, said: “He weren’t [sic] one of the richest people in the world but he was rich with love.”
Zainab Deen, 32, was remembered by her family as “beautiful, smart, warm, caring”. She died with her two-year-old son Jeremiah, who was described as “loving, full of life”.Zainab Deen, 32, was remembered by her family as “beautiful, smart, warm, caring”. She died with her two-year-old son Jeremiah, who was described as “loving, full of life”.
Ali Yawar Jafari, 82, was described as a family man and his widow said he was the “love of my life”. He loved animals and his widow and daughter fondly remembered when he persisted in catching a pigeon so he could free it from string tangled around its legs.Ali Yawar Jafari, 82, was described as a family man and his widow said he was the “love of my life”. He loved animals and his widow and daughter fondly remembered when he persisted in catching a pigeon so he could free it from string tangled around its legs.
One thing that is striking about the Grenfell victims is how many had come to Britain either seeking opportunity or safety: more than half of the adult victims fall into this category.One thing that is striking about the Grenfell victims is how many had come to Britain either seeking opportunity or safety: more than half of the adult victims fall into this category.
With Zainab Deen, we are not sure: her childhood was spent in war-torn Freetown in Sierra Leone, but we don’t know why her father brought her to the UK in the early 2000s: the worst excesses of the conflict were over by that point. And yet as her father Zainu Deen said, she always wanted to travel.With Zainab Deen, we are not sure: her childhood was spent in war-torn Freetown in Sierra Leone, but we don’t know why her father brought her to the UK in the early 2000s: the worst excesses of the conflict were over by that point. And yet as her father Zainu Deen said, she always wanted to travel.
Ali Yawar Jafari meanwhile was one of two men who escaped Afghanistan in the 1990s only to die in Grenfell tower two decades later. We heard from the family of Mohamed ‘Saber’ Neda on Monday, and again here again we get the impression of a family patriarch, much loved, much missed, setting the tone and values for his children to live by.Ali Yawar Jafari meanwhile was one of two men who escaped Afghanistan in the 1990s only to die in Grenfell tower two decades later. We heard from the family of Mohamed ‘Saber’ Neda on Monday, and again here again we get the impression of a family patriarch, much loved, much missed, setting the tone and values for his children to live by.
We know he was originally a jeweller in Afghanistan, but struggled to learn English after moving here in 1999 at the age of 61. Instead, when he wasn’t helping out at his friend’s Afghan shop in Portobello market, he took to life as a grandfather, happy to get up early in the morning to play cars with his grandson.We know he was originally a jeweller in Afghanistan, but struggled to learn English after moving here in 1999 at the age of 61. Instead, when he wasn’t helping out at his friend’s Afghan shop in Portobello market, he took to life as a grandfather, happy to get up early in the morning to play cars with his grandson.
Ali Yawar Jafari’s daughter Maria says in the video says that her father was knocking on neighbours’ doors trying to rouse them on the night of the fire.Ali Yawar Jafari’s daughter Maria says in the video says that her father was knocking on neighbours’ doors trying to rouse them on the night of the fire.
His son Hamid says:His son Hamid says:
He was most happy when he used to see his whole family coming together... The happiest moment he had was when my son was born ...I can still smell my dad on my son.He was most happy when he used to see his whole family coming together... The happiest moment he had was when my son was born ...I can still smell my dad on my son.
There is applause after the conclusion of the film and then Hamid says some more words. As with so many of the tributes we have already heard, it is heartbreaking.There is applause after the conclusion of the film and then Hamid says some more words. As with so many of the tributes we have already heard, it is heartbreaking.
Hamid says he never previously dreamt of going to heaven before but now he prays every day that he can join his father there.Hamid says he never previously dreamt of going to heaven before but now he prays every day that he can join his father there.
I request my friends to pray that I die soon to join my father.I request my friends to pray that I die soon to join my father.
Addressing his late father, he says:Addressing his late father, he says:
I am really sorry that I can’t bring any smile back to my mother’s face or my two sisters’.I am really sorry that I can’t bring any smile back to my mother’s face or my two sisters’.
The inquiry chair, Martin Moore-Bick, tells Hamid that his father would have been proud of him.The inquiry chair, Martin Moore-Bick, tells Hamid that his father would have been proud of him.
He adjourns proceedings for lunch until 2pm.He adjourns proceedings for lunch until 2pm.
Now are tributes to Ali Yawar Jafari, 82, who lived in flat 86. A video is introduced by his daughter Maria, who says: “We miss our father very much.” She says they cannot show any photographs because they were all destroyed in the fire.Now are tributes to Ali Yawar Jafari, 82, who lived in flat 86. A video is introduced by his daughter Maria, who says: “We miss our father very much.” She says they cannot show any photographs because they were all destroyed in the fire.
In the video, his widow tells how they came from Afghanistan, describing him as “The love of my life.”In the video, his widow tells how they came from Afghanistan, describing him as “The love of my life.”
She says her husband loved animals and travelling, they went to Iran and Germany.She says her husband loved animals and travelling, they went to Iran and Germany.
She tells a lovely story about how he insisted on catching a pigeon so he could untie string that its legs had become tangled in. He explained to his wife that the pigeon was a “prisoner” and he wanted to set it free.She tells a lovely story about how he insisted on catching a pigeon so he could untie string that its legs had become tangled in. He explained to his wife that the pigeon was a “prisoner” and he wanted to set it free.
Now is the tribute to Zainab’s two-year-old son Jeremiah Deen:Now is the tribute to Zainab’s two-year-old son Jeremiah Deen:
He was loved by all and was very overprotected by his mother who loved him very much...He was loving, full of life, liked playing football ...exploring and adventuring.He was loved by all and was very overprotected by his mother who loved him very much...He was loving, full of life, liked playing football ...exploring and adventuring.
Most of all we are happy that you are with your mother Zainab who loved ...and adored you ...She will keep you safe now as she protected you in life ...Even death can’t separate you both. Our hearts break, we love and miss you Jeremiah. Sleep grandson, take your rest, love grandson.Most of all we are happy that you are with your mother Zainab who loved ...and adored you ...She will keep you safe now as she protected you in life ...Even death can’t separate you both. Our hearts break, we love and miss you Jeremiah. Sleep grandson, take your rest, love grandson.
Mansfield reads:Mansfield reads:
We never thought we would be thinking of Zainab Deen as a memory like we are today...We never thought we would be thinking of Zainab Deen as a memory like we are today...
Zainab had it all. She was beautiful, smart, warm, caring and a confident and outgoing young woman. She had a lively personality and her great sense of humour was enjoyed by all who came across her ...Her untimely death has left us heartbroken.Zainab had it all. She was beautiful, smart, warm, caring and a confident and outgoing young woman. She had a lively personality and her great sense of humour was enjoyed by all who came across her ...Her untimely death has left us heartbroken.
We are so proud to be able to call you our daughter. We are grateful for the brief time we were able to spend with you and believe that the angels are rejoicing because one of their loved ones has rejoined them.We are so proud to be able to call you our daughter. We are grateful for the brief time we were able to spend with you and believe that the angels are rejoicing because one of their loved ones has rejoined them.