The Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid, has
announced a new independent expert advisory panel to advise on
any immediate measures that can be put in place to make
buildings safe following the Grenfell Tower fire.
The panel will examine what immediate reaction is required to increase public
confidence by demonstrating everything possible is being done to
make all public and private buildings safe as quickly as
possible.
The Panel will be chaired by Sir Ken Knight – a former London
Fire Commissioner and former Government Chief Fire and Rescue
Adviser – and consist of a range of building and fire safety
experts.
The panel possesses a great deal of experience in fire and
building safety, including testing processes and seek wider
technical expertise as necessary to inform their advice to the
Communities Secretary.
A
separate independent Public Inquiry will still be held to
investigate what happened and who was responsible for the
tragedy.
Sajid Javid said: “It’s absolutely right that there will be an
independent public inquiry to get to the truth about what
happened and who was responsible for the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
“However, I want to know if there are measures we can put in
place now to keep people safe and I want them done immediately.
I want the public to be confident everything possible is being
done.
“That is why I am announcing a new expert advisory panel to
advise government on any immediate action that is required to
ensure all buildings are safe.”