Witness statement of: Ambrose MendyExhibit: NoneNo:Date:

IN THE MATTER OF THE GREN FELL TOWER PUBLIC INQUIRY

WITNESS STATEMENT OF MR AMBROSE MENDY

I. Ambrose Mendy will say as follows:-

1. This statement relates to tragic events on the 14th June 2017, I understand that this is

being dealt with in Phase 1 of the Inquiry and the other matters on which I would like

to comment on are being dealt with in Phase 2 of the Inquiry.

2. I am the cousin to Mary Mendy and her daughter Kandija Saye who lived on the 20th

floor of flat 173 of the Grenfell Tower.

3. I was granted core participant status and I have been present every day of the oral

hearings. I have been actively involved in the family and community events for my

cousin Mary and her daughter Khadija since their untimely passing.

4. I am now undertaking it as my priority in life to proactively engage in the inquiry

process. We have a huge family that has not accepted what has

become of Mary and Khadija. They simply do not believe that this can happen in the

western world and that my dear cousin and niece succumbed to such cruel and

inhumane deaths.

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5. This process is about unearthing the truth and asking all the questions to find out what

happened to Mary and Khadija that night. I would like to know what efforts were

made to rescue them; what contact they had with the emergency services and why

things ended so tragically that night. Their deaths were 100% avoidable. They had

their whole lives ahead of them and have been horrifically killed due to a firc which

was exacerbated and assisted by the illegal installation of hazardous materials.

6. Further assuring their deaths was the order given to them to 'STAY PUT' by the

London Fire Brigade (LFB), an order which denied them their precious seconds and

minutes which would have increased if not ensured, their escape from the

building. This disaster should never have unfolded the way it did. Not one person

should have died. If all the firemen said they had never seen anything like it, why were

residents advised to stay put and why was the decision to evacuate not made sooner?

7. I listen to the firelighter evidence each day and wonder why there was no st-ructure to

the rescue and firefighting operation. I wonder why the LFB were so badly resourced

in terms of training and personnel. I am placing these questions forward to my legal

represenativcs.

8. 1 have questions about fire safety and regulation in this country. There are concerns

that are many other buildings in this country are still wrapped in flammable encased

cladding and that gravely concerns me.

9. It should not have cost lives for lessons to be learned. Mary was a carer and invested

her professional life in helping others. Khadija was an exceptionally gifted and Award

winning artist; an internationally acclaimed and unique talent and commercial

prospect. There arc more details in the commemoration video. It is now our purpose in

life to fight for justice on their behalf

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10. 1 await the answers in the hope that one day I can explain the truth to my extended

family and my family and begin the healing process.

1 1. 1 have complete faith in my legal team and I wish for my barristers to fight for justice

and retribution until the very end.

Statement of Truth

I believe that facts statcd in witness statement are true to the best of my knowledge.

Signed

Dated

Ambro M ndy

t 2_ 2-0012

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