This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jun/15/mansion-house-dinner-cancelled-philip-hammond-grenfell-fire

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mansion House dinner cancelled as Philip Hammond pulls out after Grenfell fire City's Mansion House dinner cancelled after Grenfell Tower fire
(about 1 hour later)
The annual Mansion House dinner for City grandees planned for Thursday night – where the chancellor and the governor of the Bank of England scheduled to deliver high profile speeches – has been cancelled following the tragedy at the Grenfell Tower. The annual Mansion House dinner for City grandees planned for Thursday night, which includes speeches by the chancellor and governor of the Bank of England, has been cancelled following the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower, west London.
Philip Hammond pulled out after concluding it was inappropriate to address the hundreds of bankers, fund managers and policy makers who usually attend the set-piece black tie dinner. The chancellor had been expected to use his first annual address to the City dinner to call for a more business-friendly approach to Brexit. The chancellor, Philip Hammond, postponed his speech after concluding it would be inappropriateat this time to address the hundreds of bankers, fund managers and policy makers at the black-tie dinner. He had been expected to use his first annual address at the City event to call for a more “business friendly” approach to Brexit.
Known as the bankers’ and merchants’ dinner, the event is noted for its pomp and ceremony. The high profile guests are clapped as they proceed to the top table and there are a number of traditional toasts.
In view of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, I have withdrawn from giving the Mansion House speech tonight. My thoughts are with local community.In view of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, I have withdrawn from giving the Mansion House speech tonight. My thoughts are with local community.
The City of London Corporation announced the event was being cancelled almost an hour after the chancellor had tweeted that he would not deliver his much-anticipated speech. The City of London Corporation announced that the event was being cancelled, almost an hour after the chancellor tweeted that he would not deliver his much anticipated speech.
Hammond tweeted that he was pulling out just as Theresa May was announcing a full public inquiry into the events at the fire in the 24-storey tower block Kensington, where 17 people are known to have died. Many more remain missing. Hammond tweeted that he was pulling out just as Theresa May was announcing a full public inquiry into the fire in the 24-storey tower block in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea where 17 people are known to have died. Many more people remain missing. The prime minister and the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, have visited the site of the fire.
The prime minister made her own visit to the scene in west London, as did the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. At the Mansion House event Mark Carney, the Bank of England governor, was expected to talk to the audience about the importance of international trade, just days before the start of Brexit talks next week.
The dinner is the biggest event that takes place at the Mansion House, a 250-year-old building in the heart of the City and the official residence of the mayor during their year in office, each year. The chairs and chief executives of all the major banks are usually in attendance. It is thought to be the first time in at least 35 years that it has been cancelled. Hammond had been expected to warn against the dangers of a hard Brexit and, according to reports, to urge the prime minister to put the economy at the heart of the EU exit talks.
Mark Carney, the Bank of England governor, had been expected to talk to the audience about the importance of international trade, just days before the Brexit talks get under way next week. The lord mayor of London, Andrew Parmley, had been planning to discuss the importance of Brexit, calling for a bespoke agreement with the EU to ensure the financial sector would thrive after the UK left.
Hammond is expected to cover the issue he had intended to discuss at the dinner at a later date. He had been expected to warn against the dangers of a hard Brexit and, according to reports, urge the prime minister to put the economy at the heart of the talks to leave the EU.
The lord mayor, Andrew Parmley, had been planning to discuss the importance of Brexit, calling for a bespoke agreement with the EU to ensure the financial sector would thrive after the UK leaves.
A City of London Corporation spokesperson said: “In the light of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower we are cancelling tonight’s Mansion House dinner. Our thoughts are focused with the victims and their families and friends.”A City of London Corporation spokesperson said: “In the light of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower we are cancelling tonight’s Mansion House dinner. Our thoughts are focused with the victims and their families and friends.”
The Bank of England said: “Out of respect to the victims, families and friends of all those affected by the Grenfell tower tragedy, the Mansion House dinner has been cancelled this evening. The governor’s speech will be given in due course.” The Bank of England said: “Out of respect to the victims, families and friends of all those affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Mansion House dinner has been cancelled this evening. The governor’s speech will be given in due course.”
Last year Hammond’s predecessor, George Osborne, had to alter the speech he had intended to deliver following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. Last year, Hammond’s predecessor, George Osborne, had to alter the speech he had intended to deliver following the murder of the Labour MP Jo Cox.
The Mansion House dinner is the biggest event that takes place in the 250-year-old building, which is the official residence of the mayor during the year in office. The chairs and CEOs of all the big banks usually attend. Known as the bankers’ and merchants’ dinner, it is an event noted for its pomp and ceremony. High-profile guests are clapped as they proceed to the top table and there are a number of traditional toasts. The cancellation of the dinner is thought to be the first in at least 35 years.