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Grenfell Tower fire: Scotland Yard opens criminal investigation into tragedy – latest updates Grenfell Tower fire: Scotland Yard opens criminal investigation into tragedy – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
7.11am BST
07:11
Dawn Foster has written about how providing scrutiny of local and national decisions on housing is one way to help the victims of the fire.
Of paramount importance is keeping up the pressure on the local council to ensure and promise that those who have lost everything in the blaze are housed permanently, and equally importantly, locally.
Read more here:
7.07am BST
07:07
The Guardian’s cartoonist Steve Bell has this take on the fire:
Updated
at 7.09am BST
6.55am BST
06:55
Residents 'did not want sprinklers' – council leader
Sprinklers were not fitted during the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower because residents did not want the prolonged disruption it would have caused, the leader of the council responsible for the block has claimed.
Nick Paget-Brown, the Tory leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said there was not a “collective view” among residents in favour of sprinklers.
Experts have suggested that sprinklers could have been fitted in the 24-storey building for £200,000 during the £10m refurbishment.
Asked if installing sprinklers was considered as part of the refurbishment, Mr Paget-Brown said the advice was that the best way to combat the spread of a fire was to contain it.
He told BBC2’s Newsnight: “I didn’t consider retrofitting sprinklers because we were told that what you try to do when you are refurbishing is to contain a fire within a particular flat so that the fire service can evacuate that flat, deal with the fire.
“There was not a collective view that all the flats should be fitted with sprinklers because that would have delayed and made the refurbishment of the block more disruptive.
“We are now talking retrospectively after the most enormous tragedy, but many residents felt that we needed to get on with the installation of new hot water systems, new boilers and that trying to retrofit more would delay the building and that sprinklers aren’t the answer.”
But he said: “Of course I regret anything that we might have done differently that would have avoided this tragedy.”
The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association has put the cost of installing a sprinkler system at 200,000.
Mr Paget-Brown was unable to say how many tower blocks in his borough lacked sprinkler systems.
Amid speculation that the cladding fitted to Grenfell Tower could have been a factor in the fatal blaze, Mr Paget-Brown said no other refurbishments in the borough would use the system.
“As far as I know there are no other towers with that cladding,” he said.
Asked if the borough would use similar components on towers in the future, he said: “No.”
He added: “We have asked the London Fire Brigade to look at all our towers and give us a report on whether fire safety in all of the towers - because we are very conscious residents are worried about this - whether they can give us the assurance that we need that all of those towers are safe and that they comply with fire standards, fire regulations.”
6.48am BST
06:48
Justice for Grenfell rally
The Press Association reports that people are planning a rally in Westminster on Friday to call for justice for those caught up in the Grenfell Tower fire.
A Facebook event, Justice for Grenfell!, has been listed as taking place at 6pm on Friday outside the Department for Communities and Local Government in Marsham Street, with more than 1,000 people said to be attending.
The posting said: “At least 12 people have died in the fire at Grenfell Tower. They deserve justice. We demand answers .
“Solidarity with the residents of Grenfell Tower.”
6.37am BST
06:37
Lynsey Hanley writes for the Guardian that our housing cannot continue to be subject to the market’s desires, needs or fluctuations.
If some housing is regarded as being more valuable, more desirable, corners will always be cut in the places where there is less financial return. The same goes for people: the most disadvantaged always suffer most from the mistakes of the powerful.
You can read more here:
6.35am BST6.35am BST
06:3506:35
As well as Michael Portillo, Harriet Harman has also criticised Theresa May for staying away from locals and victims of the fire when she visited the scene yesterday.As well as Michael Portillo, Harriet Harman has also criticised Theresa May for staying away from locals and victims of the fire when she visited the scene yesterday.
Labour’s former deputy leader said it was “not OK” for the prime minister to go to the area but not meet residents.Labour’s former deputy leader said it was “not OK” for the prime minister to go to the area but not meet residents.
In a message on Twitter, Ms Harman said: “Theresa May should have met Grenfell Fire residents. She should have been prepared to listen to them Not OK to speak at them via TV.”In a message on Twitter, Ms Harman said: “Theresa May should have met Grenfell Fire residents. She should have been prepared to listen to them Not OK to speak at them via TV.”
6.30am BST6.30am BST
06:3006:30
6.08am BST6.08am BST
06:0806:08
The BBC has an interview with former cabinet minister Michael Portillo who has criticised Theresa May for failing to meet with victims and survivors of the fire. Portillo said the prime minister “didn’t use her humanity”.The BBC has an interview with former cabinet minister Michael Portillo who has criticised Theresa May for failing to meet with victims and survivors of the fire. Portillo said the prime minister “didn’t use her humanity”.
He told BBC’s This Week: “She met in private with the emergency services, a good thing to do no doubt, but she should have been there with the residents, which is what Jeremy Corbyn was.He told BBC’s This Week: “She met in private with the emergency services, a good thing to do no doubt, but she should have been there with the residents, which is what Jeremy Corbyn was.
“She wanted an entirely controlled situation in which she didn’t use her humanity. “The Prime Minister would have been shouted at by the residents, but she should have been willing to take that.”“She wanted an entirely controlled situation in which she didn’t use her humanity. “The Prime Minister would have been shouted at by the residents, but she should have been willing to take that.”
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at 6.09am BSTat 6.09am BST
6.06am BST6.06am BST
06:0606:06
What the papers sayWhat the papers say
For the second day the British newspapers have little else on their fronts other than the terrible events at Grenfell Tower.For the second day the British newspapers have little else on their fronts other than the terrible events at Grenfell Tower.
The Sun goes with “Now the Anger” and says some people had had turned on London mayor Sadiq Khan and TV presenter Jon Snow at the scene.The Sun goes with “Now the Anger” and says some people had had turned on London mayor Sadiq Khan and TV presenter Jon Snow at the scene.
Friday's SUN: "Now The Anger" #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/cHRGUQOQZ4Friday's SUN: "Now The Anger" #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/cHRGUQOQZ4
The Mirror has the one word in its headline: “Criminal” and says the tragedy is one that “shames our nation”.The Mirror has the one word in its headline: “Criminal” and says the tragedy is one that “shames our nation”.
Friday's Daily MIRROR: "CRIMINAL" #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/XIzM7D7Ua7Friday's Daily MIRROR: "CRIMINAL" #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/XIzM7D7Ua7
The Mail decides to float the question: “We’re green targets to blame for fire tragedy?” and asks whether “dubious” insulation was put on the tower just to meet environmental standards.The Mail decides to float the question: “We’re green targets to blame for fire tragedy?” and asks whether “dubious” insulation was put on the tower just to meet environmental standards.
Friday's Daily MAIL: "Three Lethal Questions" #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/trg4XBb8bVFriday's Daily MAIL: "Three Lethal Questions" #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/trg4XBb8bV
The Guardian has the news that police fear some of the victims of the fire may never be formally identified and that the retrieval of their bodies could take months such is the destruction in the building.The Guardian has the news that police fear some of the victims of the fire may never be formally identified and that the retrieval of their bodies could take months such is the destruction in the building.
Friday's GUARDIAN: "Police: some victims of tower blaze may never be identified" #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/NhibqHdF4JFriday's GUARDIAN: "Police: some victims of tower blaze may never be identified" #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/NhibqHdF4J
The Times has a now much discussed detail that the US had banned the type of cladding that was allegedly used o the 24-storey tower block.The Times has a now much discussed detail that the US had banned the type of cladding that was allegedly used o the 24-storey tower block.
Friday's TIMES; "US banned tower cladding" #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/S5MmawFFlyFriday's TIMES; "US banned tower cladding" #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/S5MmawFFly
The FT does have a picture of the commemoration wall for the Grenfell Tower but leads on interest rates staying put at record lows, saying there are fears that weak retail sales are signalling a prolonging a slowdown in the British economy.The FT does have a picture of the commemoration wall for the Grenfell Tower but leads on interest rates staying put at record lows, saying there are fears that weak retail sales are signalling a prolonging a slowdown in the British economy.
Fri FT: 'BoE holds rates as weak retail sales add to fears of prolonged slowdown' #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/j9ymNCfmY8Fri FT: 'BoE holds rates as weak retail sales add to fears of prolonged slowdown' #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/j9ymNCfmY8
5.59am BST5.59am BST
05:5905:59
Hello and welcomeHello and welcome
Hello and welcome to today’s blog about the aftermath of the devastating Grenfell Tower fire. Thank you for joining us. Here is a summary of the latest news:Hello and welcome to today’s blog about the aftermath of the devastating Grenfell Tower fire. Thank you for joining us. Here is a summary of the latest news:
Scotland Yard have launched a criminal investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire after it emerged that cladding panels similar to those likely to have been used on the 24-storey building have been widely prohibited on tall buildings in the US since 2012.Scotland Yard have launched a criminal investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire after it emerged that cladding panels similar to those likely to have been used on the 24-storey building have been widely prohibited on tall buildings in the US since 2012.
The prime minister Theresa May has also set up a public inquiry into the fire.The prime minister Theresa May has also set up a public inquiry into the fire.
The official death toll stands at 17, but is expected to rise.The official death toll stands at 17, but is expected to rise.
Police says six people have so far been provisionally identified, but no details have been given.Police says six people have so far been provisionally identified, but no details have been given.
A total of 30 people are being treated in six London hospitals. Fifteen are in a critical condition.A total of 30 people are being treated in six London hospitals. Fifteen are in a critical condition.
Police have said that some of the dead from the blaze may never be identified, as officers warned that the painful process of retrieving the victims could take months.Police have said that some of the dead from the blaze may never be identified, as officers warned that the painful process of retrieving the victims could take months.
Among those still missing are entire families, a six-month-old baby, a young Italian couple, and a five-year-old boy who lost hold of an adult’s hand as his family struggled through thick smoke to escape the blaze.Among those still missing are entire families, a six-month-old baby, a young Italian couple, and a five-year-old boy who lost hold of an adult’s hand as his family struggled through thick smoke to escape the blaze.
A charity inundated by donations has urged the public to stop sending clothes, food and other items for victims of the fire, asking that monetary donations be made instead.A charity inundated by donations has urged the public to stop sending clothes, food and other items for victims of the fire, asking that monetary donations be made instead.
Residents of high-rise flats run by the same organisation that ran Grenfell Tower have spoken of concerns for their safety.Residents of high-rise flats run by the same organisation that ran Grenfell Tower have spoken of concerns for their safety.
May has addressed criticism that she did not meet survivors of the fire during a visit to the area, saying she wanted a briefing from the emergency services.May has addressed criticism that she did not meet survivors of the fire during a visit to the area, saying she wanted a briefing from the emergency services.
The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has suggested vacant houses in Kensington & Chelsea should be requisitioned on behalf of people left homeless by the fire.The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has suggested vacant houses in Kensington & Chelsea should be requisitioned on behalf of people left homeless by the fire.
Liberal Democrats have called for the cladding used on Grenfell Tower to be banned in the UK.Liberal Democrats have called for the cladding used on Grenfell Tower to be banned in the UK.
Writing in the Guardian, David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham, said that arrests and prosecutions should follow the deadly blaze.Writing in the Guardian, David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham, said that arrests and prosecutions should follow the deadly blaze.
It appears to be firming up that Mohamed Alhajali, one of the missing, has died. The Syrian Solidarity Campaign Facebook page is raising money for his funeral.It appears to be firming up that Mohamed Alhajali, one of the missing, has died. The Syrian Solidarity Campaign Facebook page is raising money for his funeral.
A rally will be held on Friday evening in Westminster calling for justice for those caught up in the fire.A rally will be held on Friday evening in Westminster calling for justice for those caught up in the fire.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.11am BSTat 6.11am BST