Jeremy Corbyn writes to Theresa May to demand Grenfell Tower inquiry is widened

Labour leader accuses PM of seeking 'to avoid criticism of your party’s policy failures rather than secure justice for Grenfell survivors'

The Labour leader met with survivors in the immediate aftermath of the fire in June (Getty)

Jeremy Corbyn has written to Theresa May to demand the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire is widened to cover social issues linked to the disaster.

The Labour leader said he was “deeply concerned” that the inquiry, led by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, will not consider issues such as social housing, austerity and deprivation linked to the fire, which left at least 80 people dead.

The terms of reference of Mr Moore-Bick’s investigation were announced earlier in the week after Ms May accepted the retired judge’s recommendations on what it should cover.

While the inquiry will focus on the immediate causes of the Grenfell fire and the broader regulations relating to high-rise buildings, wider issues about housing and poverty will not be included in its remit.

In his letter, Mr Corbyn suggested the nature of the inquiry is a sign that Ms May’s priority is “to avoid criticism of your party’s policy failures rather than secure justice for Grenfell survivors”.

He said: “I am deeply concerned by the decision to exclude the broader social and political issues raised by the fire from the terms of reference of the inquiry. The fire has raised profound concerns about the way that social housing is provided and managed in this country, and I – as well as many survivors – worry that, without a wider focus, the inquiry will fail to get fully to grips with the causes of the fire.

“The fear is that the priority is to avoid criticism of your party’s policy failures rather than secure justice for Grenfell survivors, along with the safety of the many other people who live in social housing in this country.”

Mr Corbyn asked the Prime Minister to “immediately set out a clear, independent and thorough process for identifying and addressing the broader failings that led to the Grenfell fire”.

This should cover social housing policy and the relationship between residents and Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council, as well as its tenant management organisation, he said.

The Labour leader said he was “troubled” that the Government has only promised Grenfell survivors a 12-month immigration amnesty.

Amid concerns that some survivors are wary of speaking to authorities because of their immigration status, Mr Moore-Bick asked ministers to confirm that anyone living in the country illegally would not be deported. However, the Government has refused to extend the 12-month amnesty.

Mr Corbyn said: “I therefore urge you to grant indefinite right to remain in the UK to all survivors who need it, on a discretionary basis. Failure to do so will impede their ability to contribute to the inquiry and may undermine the inquiry itself.”