Grenfell System Failure

In March we went to watch the play Grenfell: System Failure at the Marylebone Theatre.

The play is based entirely on the words of those involved in the final phase of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and follows on from a previous production in 2021 entitled Value Engineering.

The play covered the moving testimony of the bereaved and survivors including Hisam Choucair; who lost six relatives in the tragedy. It then moves on to the questioning of key witnesses including from Kingspan, the Building Research Establishment (BRE), Arconic, and London Fire Brigade.

It also heard the powerful testimony on race and poverty from Leslie Thomas QC; the lawyer representing the families of the victims.

The play included the witness statement of our late Tower Blocks UK co-founder Sam Webb MBE, in relation to a comment made by Brian Martin who was previously in charge of official guidance on fire safety, and when challenged on this by Webb, replied 'show me the bodies'. (Brian Martin denies this.)

The play was extremely moving, but also frustrating - hearing once again about the level of arrogant disregard in the construction industry, the corruption and cover up from those tasked with keeping people safe. It was a damning indictment of de-regulation and corporate greed and once again left us feeling angry and passionately determined that justice must be done for the families of those who lost their lives.

The Grenfell Inquiry findings are due to be published in Autumn 2023.