Grenfell community unified in steps toward justice

"For us it's about coming together and figuring out what our next steps are as a community."

That's according to Paul Menacer, a survivor of the Grenfell Tower fire, as he and his neighbours continue to digest the findings of the inquiry's 1,700-page final report.

The deaths of all 72 people in the 2017 blaze in west London were avoidable and had been preceded by "decades of failure" by government, other authorities and the building industry, inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick's report concluded.

Mr Menacer echoed many survivors and bereaved in saying the next steps toward justice lie with the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Speaking at a vigil held on Wednesday evening, he said that although the tragedy is "still raw" within the community seven years on, it has strengthened bonds.

"The amazing thing about our area is the fact we have so many people from [multiple] cultures, backgrounds, races all [together] as one," he added.

Samia Badani, who organised a community screening of Sir Martin's inquiry remarks at the Maxilla Social Club, said it had laid the "first steps" towards "accountability and justice".

"[The inquiry] gave us the truth, but it did not give us justice. It has given our community, Grenfell United, those fighting for justice, the means to hold those responsible accountable," she said.

Francis Dean, who lost his close friend Zainab Deen and her two-year-old son Jerimiah in the fire, said seeking justice for them would be his focus.

"Somebody has to be responsible. Even if it's the whole lot of them, they have to be responsible for it," he added.

Grenfell survivors Miguel Alves and Antonio Roncolato said they are glad the report highlights that lives "could have been saved" on the night of the fire.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mr Alves said it is now down to the police to get the "justice that we need".

The Metropolitan Police has said it will need an estimated 12 to 18 months to pore over the inquiry's report "line by line" before any criminal charges are brought.

Mr Roncolato said: "Waiting another 18 months... so be it.

"We want to see those responsible, with blood on their hands, held to account."

The pair added they want to see action, a time frame and a plan.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Met Stuart Cundy said on Wednesday: “Our police investigation is independent of the public inquiry.

"It operates under a different legal framework and so we cannot simply use the report’s findings as evidence to bring charges."

He added that in order to "secure justice for those who died and all those affected by the fire" a thorough investigation was needed, which would take "at least 12-18 months".

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