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The Grenfell Tower Inquiry, could continue by video link, as it considers a range of options on how to proceed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It has written to witnesses to consult them on three possible options for enabling hearings to progress. The first option is to suspend hearings until social restrictions have been lifted completely, the second is to conduct hearings remotely via video conferencing, and the third is to resume hearings with limited attendance when social restrictions are partially lifted.
As part of these considerations, the Inquiry is also consulting with colleagues in its counselling support services to establish whether it is possible to provide adequate support remotely and to identify any other factors the panel needs to take into account including the impact of the current crisis on key participants and on the capacity and resilience of required support services.
It is seeking responses to the consultation letter by 27 April 2020.
Meanwhile, the Inquiry said it has continued work during the lockdown including disclosure of documents to core participants, the analysis of evidence, and preparing question plans for witnesses due to give evidence in forthcoming modules.