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Hello and welcome to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry podcast with me, Kate Lamble.

The inquiry returned this week after the Easter break and restarted in-person hearings,

albeit still with restrictions on who can attend.

We're looking forward to being able to open the hearings more widely as soon as we can,

quite when that will be, will depend on government advice, but we hope within the next

month or two we should be back to full hearings in person. And we heard the first witnesses

for this new module of the inquiry, which is examining how the landlord, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its arm's length tenant management organisation, fulfilled their duties.

Residents said they weren't treated with respect, humanity or empathy.

The TMO's complaints process allowed the organisation to act as judge, jury and

executioner, and there was no escape route from the building with disabled access. Let's start

then with the evidence. Before Easter, Danny Friedman, who represents a group of bereaved and survivors,

told the inquiry that Grenfell was a landmark act of discrimination against vulnerable

and disabled residents. This week, the inquiry heard evidence from several residents on that issue.

Emma O'Connor moved into flat 171 on the 20th floor of Grenfell Tower in 2012 with her partner Luke.

In her written statement, she said that at the time she used a frame for support and balance to help her walk.

On her tenancy agreement, Emma O'Connor ticked a box to indicate that she had a disability.

Counsel to the inquiry, Bill Ararat.

Was there any discussion between you and anybody from the TMO about providing support for you because of your mobility issues?

No. Not that I remember.

Do you remember whether there was any discussion about how you would evacuate?

Absolutely none.

...