Harriet Harman fears for inquest into blaze tragedy at tower block

Complex: the Met warned the inquest into the fire could take months
12 April 2012

Harriet Harman has raised concerns at the delay in holding an inquest into the deaths of six people in the Lakanal House fire after coroner Sir Thayne Forbes unexpectedly stood down.

Camberwell and Peckham MP Ms Harman, Labour's leader until it replaces Gordon Brown next month, fears that lessons remain to be learned more than a year after the blaze at the council block in Camberwell.

Ms Harman said it was "essential not to appear to be downgrading' this important inquest". Her views were echoed by Frances Swaine, the solicitor representing families in 98 homes in an identical block only yards from the now-empty Lakanal House.

But a Met police spokesman said: "It is a very complex investigation and will take several months to complete."

The inquest is now expected to be conducted by Judge Frances Kirkham.

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