Ms O'Malley-Kumar's father, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, got up from his chair and shook the Prime Minister's hand with tears in his eyes as Sir Keir told the families the news, with Mr Webber's mother Emma Webber tearfully applauding the announcement.
The families of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates were told by Sir Keir Starmer that a “number of different agencies” would be scrutinised by the probe in an emotional meeting at Number 10 on Wednesday,.
Mrs Webber, who sat next to the Prime Minister during the meeting at Number 10, said "you can't bring him back", to which Sir Keir replied: "I can't imagine what it is like.".
The families had called for a statutory inquiry in order for witnesses to be compelled to give evidence, and Sir Keir said it was important for it to be statutory so witnesses could “answer questions about their actions and their decisions”.
Sir Keir said it would have to be announced and discussed in Parliament, but added: "I don't think there's anybody that will question an inquiry.".
