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Grenfell Tower fire: protesters march as anger mounts over disaster response – live Grenfell Tower fire: protesters march as anger mounts over disaster response – live
(35 minutes later)
9.33pm BST
21:33
Kevin Rawlinson
There has been speculation that the government has asked media organisations to hide the true extent of the Grenfell Tower disaster by means of a “D-Notice”, now officially known as a DSMA-Notice, as friends and relatives grow increasingly frustrated at the lack of clarity.
None has been issued in relation to the Grenfell Tower fire, the MoD has confirmed to the Guardian.
DSMA-Notices are requests from the government that certain information not be made public by news outlets in the interests of national security. They are voluntary arrangements between Whitehall and the media organisations. Some outlets speculated that such a notice had been put out.
Video: Govt puts ‘D-notice’ gag on real #Grenfell death toll #nationalsecurity https://t.co/cSn27amr2s pic.twitter.com/idBoNBcMiA
People asking if this is true - it is highly, highly possible. Skwawkbox have excellent sources. Answers needed. https://t.co/xQGKsHDT5n
The former later updated its article to say no D-Notice had been issued and the latter said they thought it “unlikely” one had been. Both organisations said they had contacted the Home Office about the issue. The DSMA Committee is part of the Ministry of Defence, not the Home Office.
All active DSMA-Notices are published by the committee that issues them. You can read more about the history of the D-Notice here.
The Metropolitan police have said that at least 30 people are known to have been killed, but that that death toll is expected to rise. Two of them have been named by friends and family as Khadija Saye and Mohammed Alhajali. About 70 more people are thought to be missing.
9.21pm BST
21:21
Owen Bowcott
Nabil Choucair and his brother Hissam stood together with pictures of the six missing members of their family.
His sister, Nadia, her three daughters and family lived on the 22nd floor of Grenfell Tower. The brothers have searched hospitals in the hope of finding them.
Nabil said:
At 1.55am, her husband Bassem sent a message to his work saying there was a fire on the 4th floor of his building and apologising. He wrote: ‘We are not able to leave the building ... Sorry guys for letting you down’.
My sister left a message on my phone which said: ‘There’s a fire in our building . We are sitting in our flat. OK. Bye’.
That was the last message they sent. I called her phone but it was just ringing and ringing.
Nabil believed that the published picture of a family silhouetted in flames holding up a towel were his relatives.
“We want answers,” Nabil said. “We want justice. We want the truth. We are all one in this, we are all family together.”
Updated
at 9.30pm BST
8.51pm BST8.51pm BST
20:5120:51
Damien GayleDamien Gayle
After a fiery demonstration outside Kensington and Chelsea town hall, and a march through the borough, the protest, which has now reached Lancaster Road and gathered in the shadow of the Grenfell Tower, appears to be winding down.After a fiery demonstration outside Kensington and Chelsea town hall, and a march through the borough, the protest, which has now reached Lancaster Road and gathered in the shadow of the Grenfell Tower, appears to be winding down.
After arriving at the police cordon by the Notting Hill Methodist church, demonstrators observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the tragedy, before splitting into two groups listening to speakers through different PA systems. There is apparently a smaller gathering also on nearby Latimer Road.After arriving at the police cordon by the Notting Hill Methodist church, demonstrators observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the tragedy, before splitting into two groups listening to speakers through different PA systems. There is apparently a smaller gathering also on nearby Latimer Road.
#GrenfellTower protesters observe a period of silence for victims of the tragedy. #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/qgOwFP89MO#GrenfellTower protesters observe a period of silence for victims of the tragedy. #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/qgOwFP89MO
Kusai Rahal said the government needed to be held accountable for the deaths in Wednesday’s inferno.Kusai Rahal said the government needed to be held accountable for the deaths in Wednesday’s inferno.
“What happened over there was murder,” he said. “It was not a mistake, it was simple murder. It’s the government’s fault for seven years of austerity, selling off land to private owners who don’t care about the people, they only care about profit.“What happened over there was murder,” he said. “It was not a mistake, it was simple murder. It’s the government’s fault for seven years of austerity, selling off land to private owners who don’t care about the people, they only care about profit.
"#GrenfellTower is like a statue reminding us that these people died because they were poor." Kusai Rahul at the #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/m2D7UrxCDT"#GrenfellTower is like a statue reminding us that these people died because they were poor." Kusai Rahul at the #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/m2D7UrxCDT
“The way Theresa May didn’t even come down to the people, she came and had a little private meeting. You see Jeremy Corbyn come down to the people. At the end of the day the conservatives have lost it, Theresa May has lost it, she just needs to go.“The way Theresa May didn’t even come down to the people, she came and had a little private meeting. You see Jeremy Corbyn come down to the people. At the end of the day the conservatives have lost it, Theresa May has lost it, she just needs to go.
“It’s a reality check, that [tower] right there. It’s like a statue that’s going to stay there for a long time, and it’s in the minds of the people that these people died because they were poor. The government don’t care about working class people.”“It’s a reality check, that [tower] right there. It’s like a statue that’s going to stay there for a long time, and it’s in the minds of the people that these people died because they were poor. The government don’t care about working class people.”
Another demonstration is being called for tomorrow at 12 pm outside Kensington and Chelsea town hall, according to a speaker on Lancaster Road.Another demonstration is being called for tomorrow at 12 pm outside Kensington and Chelsea town hall, according to a speaker on Lancaster Road.
“We have to keep the pressure on,” he says. “Theresa May needs to go.”“We have to keep the pressure on,” he says. “Theresa May needs to go.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.54pm BSTat 8.54pm BST
8.42pm BST8.42pm BST
20:4220:42
Owen BowcottOwen Bowcott
By 8.15pm the rally, which halted on Lancaster Road below Grenfell Tower, was beginning slowly to disperse.By 8.15pm the rally, which halted on Lancaster Road below Grenfell Tower, was beginning slowly to disperse.
A thin line of police officers stood behind the fence that closed off the road leading to the base of the charred tower.A thin line of police officers stood behind the fence that closed off the road leading to the base of the charred tower.
A woman carrying a cardboard sign declaring ‘Austerity Kills: Bun the Tories’ folded it away and left.A woman carrying a cardboard sign declaring ‘Austerity Kills: Bun the Tories’ folded it away and left.
8.41pm BST8.41pm BST
20:4120:41
The central London protest has now moved on. After holding up Oxford Circus, protestors gathered outside the BBC and are now going down Regent street.The central London protest has now moved on. After holding up Oxford Circus, protestors gathered outside the BBC and are now going down Regent street.
It’s worth noting that the protest in Kensington, which is made up of mainly Grenfell Tower residents and the local community, is now winding down. More on that shortly.It’s worth noting that the protest in Kensington, which is made up of mainly Grenfell Tower residents and the local community, is now winding down. More on that shortly.
Police presence here increases as approach Oxford St. "Strong and stable that's a lie. You don't care if people die" pic.twitter.com/Yiz2VMW2g5Police presence here increases as approach Oxford St. "Strong and stable that's a lie. You don't care if people die" pic.twitter.com/Yiz2VMW2g5
Far cry from other protests when public kettled in Oxford Circus. Police here allowing protestors to stop at key points and Maximise impactFar cry from other protests when public kettled in Oxford Circus. Police here allowing protestors to stop at key points and Maximise impact
#JusticeForGrenfell protesters now sitting down in the middle of Oxford Circus pic.twitter.com/X1vcCOTqzU#JusticeForGrenfell protesters now sitting down in the middle of Oxford Circus pic.twitter.com/X1vcCOTqzU
Scene outside BBC #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/fMeAFDW8PJScene outside BBC #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/fMeAFDW8PJ
#JusticeForGrenfell demonstration outside the BBC. Portland Place is blocked. Delays around the West End. [ro] pic.twitter.com/kz6XXpeaKh#JusticeForGrenfell demonstration outside the BBC. Portland Place is blocked. Delays around the West End. [ro] pic.twitter.com/kz6XXpeaKh
8.11pm BST8.11pm BST
20:1120:11
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
The criminal investigation into the Grenfell tower fire has begun taking advice from prosecutors.The criminal investigation into the Grenfell tower fire has begun taking advice from prosecutors.
Detectives have asked for early guidance from the special crime division of the Crown Prosecution Service. It is understood to involve what charges should be considered, and the evidence required.Detectives have asked for early guidance from the special crime division of the Crown Prosecution Service. It is understood to involve what charges should be considered, and the evidence required.
A CPS spokesperson said: “A police investigation is under way and we are providing support and advice as required.”A CPS spokesperson said: “A police investigation is under way and we are providing support and advice as required.”
7.57pm BST7.57pm BST
19:5719:57
Chris Imafidon, whose home overlooks Grenfell Tower and who spoke to my colleague Lisa O’Carroll earlier, gave an emotional address to the crowd in central London. He was still holding a scorched piece of cladding and also a poster for one of the young children missing in the other hand.Chris Imafidon, whose home overlooks Grenfell Tower and who spoke to my colleague Lisa O’Carroll earlier, gave an emotional address to the crowd in central London. He was still holding a scorched piece of cladding and also a poster for one of the young children missing in the other hand.
He said: “I’m not here because I support the Tories, Labour or Liberals. I’m here because this child ... on Tuesday went to bed and now nobody knows where this child is.He said: “I’m not here because I support the Tories, Labour or Liberals. I’m here because this child ... on Tuesday went to bed and now nobody knows where this child is.
“I was in front of the block of flats that went up in flames and here [the cladding] is the evidence.”“I was in front of the block of flats that went up in flames and here [the cladding] is the evidence.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.05pm BSTat 8.05pm BST
7.49pm BST7.49pm BST
19:4919:49
Damien GayleDamien Gayle
Protesters have gathered on Lancaster Road, by the Notting Hill Methodist church, in the shadow of the burned-out shell of Grenfell Tower.Protesters have gathered on Lancaster Road, by the Notting Hill Methodist church, in the shadow of the burned-out shell of Grenfell Tower.
#GrenfellTowerprotest gathers in the shadow of #grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/83EQa3ZcGR#GrenfellTowerprotest gathers in the shadow of #grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/83EQa3ZcGR
Police are stopping them from going any further. Uniformed officers – not riot police – are making their way to the front of the demo.Police are stopping them from going any further. Uniformed officers – not riot police – are making their way to the front of the demo.
Police are expected to take a light touch, given the strong feelings surrounding the protest.Police are expected to take a light touch, given the strong feelings surrounding the protest.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.03pm BSTat 8.03pm BST
7.40pm BST7.40pm BST
19:4019:40
My colleague Damien Gayle is following those who had been protesting outside the town hall and are now on Lancaster Road marching towards Grenfell Tower. The numbers have swelled along the way.My colleague Damien Gayle is following those who had been protesting outside the town hall and are now on Lancaster Road marching towards Grenfell Tower. The numbers have swelled along the way.
Carnival scale crowds outside Notting Hill Gate for the #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/3Sm7Ta2T41Carnival scale crowds outside Notting Hill Gate for the #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/3Sm7Ta2T41
A small contingent of police in black overalls are flanking the #GlenfellTower protesters pic.twitter.com/OqabbgWJqzA small contingent of police in black overalls are flanking the #GlenfellTower protesters pic.twitter.com/OqabbgWJqz
Police vans spotted ahead of #GrenfellTower demo as it makes its way up Ladbroke Grove #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/SLZ6Teq9qQPolice vans spotted ahead of #GrenfellTower demo as it makes its way up Ladbroke Grove #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/SLZ6Teq9qQ
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.43pm BSTat 7.43pm BST
7.35pm BST7.35pm BST
19:3519:35
A man who posted pictures of a Grenfell Tower victim on social media has been sentenced to three months in prison.A man who posted pictures of a Grenfell Tower victim on social media has been sentenced to three months in prison.
Omega Mwaikambo was found guilty of malicious communications offences.Omega Mwaikambo was found guilty of malicious communications offences.
Mwaikambo pleaded guilty at Westminster magistrates court today to two counts under section 127 of the Communications Act.Mwaikambo pleaded guilty at Westminster magistrates court today to two counts under section 127 of the Communications Act.
He received six weeks in prison for each count, to run consecutively, making a total of twelve weeks (three months).He received six weeks in prison for each count, to run consecutively, making a total of twelve weeks (three months).
Mwaikambo was originally arrested near to Latimer Road tube station on Wednesday after he posted images relating to the fire at Grenfell Tower on his Facebook page. The images reportedly showed a partially clothed body.Mwaikambo was originally arrested near to Latimer Road tube station on Wednesday after he posted images relating to the fire at Grenfell Tower on his Facebook page. The images reportedly showed a partially clothed body.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.44pm BSTat 7.44pm BST
7.22pm BST7.22pm BST
19:2219:22
Damien GayleDamien Gayle
Protesters walking through the upmarket parts of Notting Hill are calling for the area’s wealthy residents to join their demonstration.Protesters walking through the upmarket parts of Notting Hill are calling for the area’s wealthy residents to join their demonstration.
“We all have kids who go to the same schools,” a man says through a PA. “How can this happen in the richest borough in London?”“We all have kids who go to the same schools,” a man says through a PA. “How can this happen in the richest borough in London?”
The demonstration numbers maybe a thousand now, stopping traffic on Holland Park Avenue. The mass chant is: “Justice. Now.”The demonstration numbers maybe a thousand now, stopping traffic on Holland Park Avenue. The mass chant is: “Justice. Now.”
#grenfelltower protesters march down Holland Park avenue pic.twitter.com/x4U5vCpEKi#grenfelltower protesters march down Holland Park avenue pic.twitter.com/x4U5vCpEKi
A chief concern among demonstrators is what they see as the continued downplaying of the death toll in the media. They feel that authorities are trying to manage the impact of the tragedy by withholding its scale from the public.A chief concern among demonstrators is what they see as the continued downplaying of the death toll in the media. They feel that authorities are trying to manage the impact of the tragedy by withholding its scale from the public.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.30pm BSTat 7.30pm BST
7.19pm BST7.19pm BST
19:1919:19
Lisa O'CarrollLisa O'Carroll
Chris Imafidon, a local resident, who came to the Marsham Street protest holding a charred panel of insulation from Grenfell said the council was a disgrace.“They have not reacted,” he said. “They have not come down to the residents. They have not come to churches and asked, ‘how did you pass Wednesday night, the day after the fire?’”Chris Imafidon, a local resident, who came to the Marsham Street protest holding a charred panel of insulation from Grenfell said the council was a disgrace.“They have not reacted,” he said. “They have not come down to the residents. They have not come to churches and asked, ‘how did you pass Wednesday night, the day after the fire?’”
This man who lives near Grenfell arrived with a panel of insulation from the building. "The council has not reacted" pic.twitter.com/zQDaYmQ4EPThis man who lives near Grenfell arrived with a panel of insulation from the building. "The council has not reacted" pic.twitter.com/zQDaYmQ4EP
Several speakers drew roars from the crowds as they called for May to go.Several speakers drew roars from the crowds as they called for May to go.
“We are being treated like rubbish. Our people are being murdered,” one speaker said.“We are being treated like rubbish. Our people are being murdered,” one speaker said.
Another local resident, Moyra Samuels, who is a teacher, said one of the children in her school had died and insisted survivors would not be uprooted from the locality. Another local resident, Moyra Samuels, insisted survivors would not be uprooted from the locality.
“For a long time in Kensington our communities have been fighting gentrification. We will not have the continuation of ethnic cleansing and social cleansing across our borough,” she said.“For a long time in Kensington our communities have been fighting gentrification. We will not have the continuation of ethnic cleansing and social cleansing across our borough,” she said.
“We deserve to live in the same borough as David Cameron, Michael Gove, [Roman] Abramovich and David Beckham.”“We deserve to live in the same borough as David Cameron, Michael Gove, [Roman] Abramovich and David Beckham.”
She told the Guardian: “This is the anger people are feeling. They have been so ground down by years of Tory councils, this anger had to be channeled somewhere,”She told the Guardian: “This is the anger people are feeling. They have been so ground down by years of Tory councils, this anger had to be channeled somewhere,”
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.15pm BST at 9.17pm BST