A PANEL of experts will investigate the root causes of the August riots, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced on a visit to Tottenham.

The Lib Dem leader met this lunchtime with Tottenham politicians and residents whose homes and businesses were devastated by rioting, arson, and looting which swept down the High Street on August 6 and 7.

Mr Clegg, announcing the grassroots inquiry into the reasons lawlessness broke out and spread to towns and cities across the UK, said: “I very keen to make sure we created a system where every voice, every challenge, every dilemma, every thought – which are bound to evolve over time – are properly heard by the Government.”

He first visited Tottenham three weeks ago in the aftermath of the riots, and promised a series of Government measures including a full inquiry.

Mr Clegg heard from independent shop owners whose businesses were cleaned out by looters, families who lost their homes in the fires, and community leaders devastated by what had happened.

Jobcentre Plus chief executive Darra Singh, who used to be chief executive of Luton and Ealing councils, will chair the panel, Mr Clegg added, and it will deliver its initial findings in November.

After the meeting, when questioned on policies under discussion including depriving rioters of benefits or council housing, he added: “We are going to look at this very carefully and not going to lurch towards something that wouldn't be fair and wouldn't be just. We don't want to create additional problems.

“But if you trash the community you live in, there has to be consequences, and I think that's a principle most people would agree with.”

David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham, welcomed Mr Clegg's visit and urged the Government to continue to focus on solving the problems which contributed to the Tottenham riots.

He said: “I think it's good he came back and I want him to come back again.

“Tottenham was left very isolated after the riots in 1985, I don't think a government minister visited Broadwater Farm for the entirety of the administration.

“What's different now is there's an opportunity for Tottenham to not feel isolated at all. We need Nick Clegg to hear from local people, what their concerns are, and stay engaged in the community which will take a long time to rebuild its reputation.”