(MENAFN- Gulf Times) A victim support group has said those who suffered in the Grenfell Tower fire must be placed at the heart of the inquiry into the disaster.
Inquest, which supports relatives at coroners' court and inquiries, wants victims' families and lawyers to be able to participate more fully in the investigation.
They say adopting procedures from the Hillsborough inquiry, including preparing and listening to emotional 'pen portraits of those who died, would improve public confidence.
Adel Chaoui, who lost family members in the fire on June 14, told the Guardian: 'Bereaved families are desperate that the deaths of our loved ones are learnt from, and a tragedy like this, that should have been avoided after the Lakanal House fire [in south London in 2009], never happens again.
'Previously the Stephen Lawrence inquiry benefited from a diverse and representative panel, and the full involvement of legal representatives. It's not enough after the 71 deaths that we cannot have either.
'Our representatives need to be able to phrase how our questions are delivered. They need to be able to react to the answers. They need to be able to prod and press for the truth.
'We fear the prime minister's current position does not go far enough to assure us that we'll have access to a balanced and unbiased inquiry.
'Or indeed that we will have a fair, impartial and honest chance of justice. We urge her to reconsider and put our minds to rest over the matter.
Deborah Coles, the director of Inquest, said: 'Grenfell is a shocking injustice and the need for the inquiry to get to the truth is of value to us all.
'It can only do this if the individual voices of the bereaved and survivors are not lost and silenced.
'Recognising the bereaved as victims, placing them at the heart of the inquiry, is essential to help humanise the legal process.
'To assuage the profound anger and mistrust requires meaningful engagement of those affected, along with prompt, full and proper disclosure and a panel representative of the community.
'This can help instil confidence and encourage participation. Without this the inquiry will be flawed and will fail those seeking the truth and justice they deserve.
A spokesperson for the inquiry said it was 'committed to ensuring that those most directly affected by the fire are able to participate in its work and that their voices are heard.
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