Grenfell Tower inquiry chair backed to 'see justice done' amid calls for him to quit
The Lord Chancellor has defended the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry chair, saying he had "complete confidence" in Sir Martin Moore-Bick, after calls were made for the former Appeal Court judge to quit.
David Lidington said the retired judge would lead the investigation into the fire which left at least 80 people dead,"with impartiality and with a determination to get to the truth and see justice done".
Sir Martin faced criticism after saying he was "doubtful" the inquiry would be as wide-ranging as some residents hoped, adding that it would be limited to the causes of the fire, why it spread so quickly and how it could be prevented in future.
However, the 70-year-old is now understood to be prepared to consider the "broad" causes of the fire, after survivors suggested they were prepared to abandon the investigation unless its parameters were widened.
As Lord Chancellor, Mr Lidington - who is also the Justice Secretary - has a responsibility to defend the judiciary.
He said: "The public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster has understandably been the subject of much commentary.
"People have every right to feel passionate about this. The community - and the whole country - want answers following such a horrific tragedy.
"That is why it is right that there should be a judge-led inquiry into the disaster, and that the residents are consulted before the terms of reference are decided.
"Our judiciary is respected the world over as fair, free from improper influence, and truly independent from government and Parliament.
"As Lord Chancellor, I am clear that their motives and integrity should always be respected and not impugned by politicians.
"I have complete confidence that Sir Martin Moore-Bick will lead the inquiry into this tragedy with impartiality and with a determination to get to the truth and see justice done."
The Prime Minister has also expressed support for Sir Martin, saying he was a "highly respected, hugely experienced" former Court of Appeal judge.
Just days after Sir Martin was appointed chair of the inquiry, shadow fire minister Chris Williamson and Labour MP Emma Dent Coad, who represents the west London seat where the disaster occurred, added their voices to calls for him to step down.
"There remain some serious question marks about Moore-Bick's ability to win trust among the community that have been directly affected by Grenfell," Mr Williamson said.
He continued: "I understand that survivors of the fire are asking for him to stand down.
"After years of systematic neglect it's time to start listening to these residents' concerns."
The MP for Derby North also raised concerns about Sir Martin's handling of a case which allowed a London council to rehouse a tenant 50 miles away, a decision which was later overturned by the Supreme Court.
He said: "From reading the Supreme Court judgment, it appears as if Moore-Bick was far too ready to find in favour of the political establishment, rather than questioning their decisions.
"That doesn't strike me as the right quality for this job.
"But fundamentally I'm deeply concerned that Moore-Bick's brief is very narrow.
"An inquiry that is limited to the immediate causes of the fire and doesn't consider why multiple warnings were ignored, especially in the wake of the deadly Lakanal fire, is frankly not going to be good enough."
Kensington MP Ms Dent Coad told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the survivors of the fire "need somebody they can talk to, somebody with a bit of a human face.
"I don't think he should do it. I don't think there will be any credibility."