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Grenfell Tower fire: May accepts Tory-led council did not help quickly enough Grenfell Tower fire: May accepts Tory-led council did not help quickly enough
(about 2 hours later)
Theresa May has attended a private meeting for victims of the Grenfell Tower fire where she accepted that their Conservative-led council did not provide help quickly enough after the disaster that killed about 80 people. Theresa May has privately met survivors and families of victims of the Grenfell Tower fire and has acknowledged the Conservative-led Kensington and Chelsea council’s response to the disaster that killed at least 80 people was slow and flawed.
The prime minister was invited to the meeting by residents to hear about the challenges they continue to face, amid some anger that the public inquiry into the fire will only look at the practical causes and not wider issues around the quality of social housing. The prime minister was invited to the meeting by residents to hear about the challenges they continue to face, amid anger that the public inquiry will only look at the practical causes of the fire and not wider issues around the quality of social housing.
May, who was criticised for not visiting the scene quickly enough after the fire, spent time discussing support for bereaved families, housing, the inquiry and the distribution of charitable funds. May, who was criticised for not meeting residents and victims’ relatives in the immediate aftermath of the fire, spent time discussing support for bereaved families, housing, the inquiry and the distribution of charitable funds.
Speaking on Sky News from a bus factory in Guildford, May said it had been a “very good meeting, a very dignified meeting” and she had relayed concerns of the residents to the leader of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council. A Downing Street spokesman said the prime minister acknowledged concerns about Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council and the Kensington and Chelsea tenant management organisation (KCTMO) that was responsible for the tower and surrounding blocks of flats.
“Obviously people did have concerns they were raising,” she said. “I was pleased I was able to tell them … the tenant management organisation will no longer have responsibility for the Lancaster West housing estate. People were pleased to hear that … What I want to ensure is that the Grenfell United residents and others locally are given the support they need following this terrible tragedy that has so affected their lives.” “She confirmed that the TMO will be removed from the management of the Lancaster West (Grenfell Tower) estate and she recognised that the council did not respond quickly enough after the fire,” the spokesman added.
The prime minister said one of the issues was about ensuring that charitable donations reached those affected and added that the Charities Commission was working to make sure that was happening. “She agreed that it was important that the council listen to and respond to the issues residents face about the support and information they were receiving, including from key workers and housing officers.”
A Downing Street spokesman said the prime minister acknowledged concerns about Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council: “She recognised that the council did not respond quickly enough after the fire … She agreed that it was important that the council listen to and respond to the issues residents face about the support and information they were receiving, including from key workers and housing officers.” Responding to concerns about the length of time taken to identify all the deceased, the prime minister promised residents that the coroners had all the resources necessary and were working as fast as they could.
Responding to concerns about the length of time taken to identify all the deceased, May promised residents that the coroners had all the resources necessary and were working as fast as they could. May also took on board complaints that those being offered rental accommodation were unhappy with the council’s communication and agreed that offers should be discussed with residents face to face.
May also took on board complaints that those being offered rental accommodation were not happy with the council’s communication and agreed that offers should be discussed with residents face to face. On the public inquiry, she pledged it would be independent and stressed the government would fund any legal representation required.
On the public inquiry, she pledged it would be independent and stressed that the government would fund any legal representation required.
The spokesman added: “She explained that while the judge had not proposed including wider questions related to social housing within the terms of reference, the government recognised that these should be taken forward elsewhere and had asked the minister for housing, Alok Sharma, to begin this by holding conversations with social housing tenants across the country.”The spokesman added: “She explained that while the judge had not proposed including wider questions related to social housing within the terms of reference, the government recognised that these should be taken forward elsewhere and had asked the minister for housing, Alok Sharma, to begin this by holding conversations with social housing tenants across the country.”
No 10 said no media personnel were present at the meeting at the request of the residents. Speaking during a visit to Guildford on Wednesday, May said: “It was a very good meeting last night, it was very dignified, a very respectful meeting, and obviously people did have concerns that they were raising and I was pleased that I was able to tell them – because the Tenant Management Organisation is one of the issues that residents have been very concerned about – I was able to tell them that the Tenant Management Organisation will no longer have responsibility for the Lancaster West housing estate. People were pleased to hear that.”
KCTMO said it had no initial response to the prime minister’s announcement that it is to be stripped of responsibility for the estate.
Sue Caro of the local campaign Justice4Grenfell said: “Finally the prime minister has acknowledged that things are nowhere near where they should be, and it’s positive to heat the KCTMO will no longer manage the estate.
“But without any commitment on what will replace it, many displaced residents will be highly suspicious.”
After the meeting, attended by about 60 or 70 residents, May spoke to the leader of the council, Elizabeth Campbell, to pass on their concerns.
No 10 said no media were present at the meeting at the request of the residents.
The latest victim of the fire to be identified was Ernie Vital, 50, who lived on the 16th floor of the tower with his mother, Marjorie, who was named last month. A family statement said: “Ernie was a polite 50-year-old man and he worked in the catering industry. He was a creative individual who pursued a creative life.
“He was a proud, humble, mature and independent man. He was a loyal son and a law-abiding citizen who maintained good relationships with all those he met in society.
“He will be remembered as a kind, sensitive and caring person with a warm-hearted smile. His pursuit of happiness has been abruptly and dramatically stopped by the Grenfell Tower tragedy. His family and friends will miss him dearly.”
Inquests into four more victims were due to open later on Wednesday.