October Newsletter

This update provides a digest of:

• Panel Member appointment
• Module 1 and 2 hearings
• Continuation of limited attendance hearings
• Disclosure figures
• Core Participant numbers
• Support arrangements during limited attendance hearings
• Contact information
• Drop-in sessions

Panel Member appointment

On 14 October, the Cabinet Office announced that the Prime Minister has appointed Ali Akbor
OBE as a Panel Member of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Mr Akbor is currently the Chief Executive of
Leeds-based housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise, and will join the Panel at the
beginning of November.

You can find the exchange of letters between the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Inquiry,
which contain further information about the appointment, here.

Module 1 and 2 hearings

The Inquiry will finish hearing evidence from witnesses for Module 1 next week. Following
evidence from the Inquiry’s expert witnesses, Module 2 will begin on Thursday 4 November, and
will look at the cladding products used in the refurbishment. A full list of the Modules the Inquiry
will hear evidence on in Phase 2 can be found here.

Continuation of limited attendance hearing arrangements

London has been subject to Tier 2 Covid-19 restrictions since 18 October. The Inquiry premises are
a workplace and there are stringent measures in place to protect all attendees. The Government
Property Agency has therefore confirmed the Inquiry premises can remain operational with the
measures currently in place, including the limit on numbers. Inquiry hearings will continue on a
limited attendance basis, and the Inquiry team will continue to monitor Government guidance
closely.

Allowing BSRs to attend the hearings in person remains a priority, and the Inquiry intends to put
its plan for this in place as soon as government guidance indicates that it's safe to do so.

Disclosure figures

As at 23 October 2020, the Inquiry has disclosed 20,752 documents in Phase 1 and 180,683 in
Phase 2, making a total of 201,435.

Core Participants

The full list of the Inquiry's core participants (CPs) is available on the key documents page. Further
information on CPs is covered in our guide, which includes details of the role they play in the
Inquiry and how this differs from being a witness.

Individuals

719 individuals have applied for CP status, of which 633 have been granted.

Organisations

83 organisations have applied for CP status, of which 39 have been granted.

Support arrangements during limited attendance hearings

During limited attendance hearings the Inquiry continues to facilitate wellbeing support as before,
but it will be able to deliver the service only by telephone and video conferencing. BSRs and
members of the public will be able to get in touch with Hestia directly to access wellbeing services
by contacting 0800 246 5617 between 09:45 and 16:45 Monday to Thursday.

Hestia will provide a range of services including:

• One-to-one telephone or online support sessions that BSRs will be able to book with a counsellor during the day or at the end of the day’s hearings. Please contact Hestia on 0800 246 5617.
•  Drop-in video conference group sessions (twice daily) where BSRs can join a counsellor in a peer support group to support one another and to air and talk through any feelings or concerns. These sessions will start and finish with some resilience exercises, for example paced breathing, grounding and mindfulness exercises and taught resilience tools. For more information and instructions for joining a group session please contact Hestia on 0800 246 5617.

Counselling support services continue to be available for anyone who wants to talk about their
emotional wellbeing. The NHS Grenfell Outreach Team is open Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to
20:00, and on Friday from 09:00 to 17:00. Their number is 0208 637 6279. More information,
including out of hours contact, can be found on the NHS website.

The Inquiry will continue to arrange interpreters on request for BSRs. This service will be delivered
by telephone.

Contact information

In line with social restrictions, all Inquiry team members are working remotely to ensure
operations continue, but can still be contacted on 0800 121 4282 or by emailing
[email protected].

Drop-in sessions

In accordance with current guidance on public gatherings, the Inquiry will not be holding an
October drop-in. Please email [email protected] if you wish to speak to a
member of the Inquiry team.