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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Grenfell Tower fire: Theresa May's top aide evades questions – latest updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.41am BST | |
| 10:41 | |
| Leadsom heckled | |
| Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom was heckled and challenged by residents as she visited the scene today. | |
| She was being interviewed by Sky News about why Theresa May failed to meet residents on her visit. A man then shouted: “meet the victims.” | |
| He added: “You know this could have been stopped, a long long time ago. There is basic stuff, there’s not even sprinklers in there ... we want answers now. Nothing has been done.” | |
| Another man challenged her about the government’s failure to act on warnings after the 2009 fire Lakanal house. | |
| Leadsom said she understood the anger. She said “the prime minister is trying to get a grip on this.” | |
| 10.24am BST | |
| 10:24 | |
| Kate Connolly | |
| A serious fire in an empty Frankfurt high rise in 2012 where the styrofoam content in the cladding was seen as having exacerbated the blaze, led to the fire brigade there starting a documentation of similar fires involving the same cladding across Germany. | |
| The resulting 30 page document is incomplete because fire brigades were not obliged to participate, but between 2001 and 2017, 100 such fires were documented. | |
| On 24 December 2005, there was a fire in Cologne on the second floor of a tower block, where a fire that had started in a flat quickly spread to the cladding. The strong smoke fumes killed four people living two floors above, and one person living in the flat.The use of a material called HBCD which had typically been used for cladding in combination with styrofoam to make it less flammable, was banned in Germany more or less outright in the spring of 2016 because of the poisonous dioxin fumes that are emitted when it burns. | |
| 10.10am BST | |
| 10:10 | |
| Survivor Christos Fairbairn has told of how he tripped over bodies after he escaped from the 14th floor. He told the BBC | |
| I could feel myself tripping over in the dark. I was tripping over bodies. On one of the floors I tripped badly and fell, as I looked up I saw the face of a dead man. | |
| I can still picture him now. | |
| As I got to the third or fourth floor I was choking and couldn’t breath. I started to feel faint. I collapsed and that’s when I felt a firefighter grab me. | |
| I went to hospital and was treated for smoke inhalation. I had so much poison in my lungs. I was crying and having flashbacks. | |
| Now I am left with nothing and have nowhere to live. But the council have paid for a room for me in Earl’s Court in London where I am staying now. | |
| How I escaped the #GrenfellTower firehttps://t.co/zQG58JN3pt pic.twitter.com/qZW5k4uOTA | |
| Updated | |
| at 10.12am BST | |
| 10.06am BST | 10.06am BST |
| 10:06 | 10:06 |
| Kate Connolly | Kate Connolly |
| Berlin’s fire chief is calling on tighter fire regulations as a result of the London fire for tower blocks as well as other types of housing. Wilfried Gräfling said that in future only mineral materials should be permissible for the cladding of buildings. | Berlin’s fire chief is calling on tighter fire regulations as a result of the London fire for tower blocks as well as other types of housing. Wilfried Gräfling said that in future only mineral materials should be permissible for the cladding of buildings. |
| “We will try to persuade lawmakers that flammable material should no longer be allowed to be used as an insulant, only mineral material that can’t burn, ensuring that it’s no longer possible for a fire to spread via the cladding,” he told Spiegel. | “We will try to persuade lawmakers that flammable material should no longer be allowed to be used as an insulant, only mineral material that can’t burn, ensuring that it’s no longer possible for a fire to spread via the cladding,” he told Spiegel. |
| 9.57am BST | 9.57am BST |
| 09:57 | 09:57 |
| Twelve people still in critical care | Twelve people still in critical care |
| The latest figures from NHS England show that 24 people are still being treated in hospitals across London, of whom 12 remain in critical care. | The latest figures from NHS England show that 24 people are still being treated in hospitals across London, of whom 12 remain in critical care. |
| 9.53am BST | 9.53am BST |
| 09:53 | 09:53 |
| Kate Connolly | Kate Connolly |
| The German authorities have been saying that a fire like Grenfell Tower could not happen in Germany. | The German authorities have been saying that a fire like Grenfell Tower could not happen in Germany. |
| The head of Frankfurt’s fire service has been particularly vocal in saying that he’s appalled about the London fire, and that tight guidelines governing the fire safety of tower blocks in Germany mean such a fire could not happen there. | The head of Frankfurt’s fire service has been particularly vocal in saying that he’s appalled about the London fire, and that tight guidelines governing the fire safety of tower blocks in Germany mean such a fire could not happen there. |
| Germany is deemed to have the tightest fire regulations for tower blocks of any European country. | Germany is deemed to have the tightest fire regulations for tower blocks of any European country. |
| There are thousands such blocks in Germany, particularly in ex-communist parts of the country where they were the commonest form of housing for decades. In cities like Berlin they have once again become fashionable places to live particularly due to a growing housing shortage and a rise in the cost of real estate. | There are thousands such blocks in Germany, particularly in ex-communist parts of the country where they were the commonest form of housing for decades. In cities like Berlin they have once again become fashionable places to live particularly due to a growing housing shortage and a rise in the cost of real estate. |
| According to the guidelines introduced in the 1980s, the type of cladding used at Grenfell Tower is not allowed on buildings higher than 22 metres in Germany. | According to the guidelines introduced in the 1980s, the type of cladding used at Grenfell Tower is not allowed on buildings higher than 22 metres in Germany. |
| Reinhard Ries, Frankfurt’s fire chief, has said that other European countries “used to laugh at Germany for this”, but he added: “I think we can almost be a little bit proud of this.” | Reinhard Ries, Frankfurt’s fire chief, has said that other European countries “used to laugh at Germany for this”, but he added: “I think we can almost be a little bit proud of this.” |
| He said that 22 metres was the limit, because a fire brigade’s turntable ladders cannot go higher than that. | He said that 22 metres was the limit, because a fire brigade’s turntable ladders cannot go higher than that. |
| Above that height, people have to be able to escape via so-called safety stairs, which are separate from the rest of the tower block structure, he said. | Above that height, people have to be able to escape via so-called safety stairs, which are separate from the rest of the tower block structure, he said. |
| A spokesman for the Berlin fire service, Thomas Kirstein, said there also had to be an internal firefighters’ lift so that the fire brigade could effectively fight the fire from inside the building. This enables the fire brigade to get to one floor beneath a fire and from there they can tackle it better. Next to the firefighters’ lift is a room where hose pipes can be connected to the water supply. | A spokesman for the Berlin fire service, Thomas Kirstein, said there also had to be an internal firefighters’ lift so that the fire brigade could effectively fight the fire from inside the building. This enables the fire brigade to get to one floor beneath a fire and from there they can tackle it better. Next to the firefighters’ lift is a room where hose pipes can be connected to the water supply. |
| Following the London fire, the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Safety (Vfdb) has ordered the renewed inspection of all buildings in Germany, whether tower blocks or other types, that are over a certain age. | Following the London fire, the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Safety (Vfdb) has ordered the renewed inspection of all buildings in Germany, whether tower blocks or other types, that are over a certain age. |
| Many of these, they say, are not fitted with sprinkler systems or firefighting equipment. The association has also called for unified international standards governing fire safety in buildings. | Many of these, they say, are not fitted with sprinkler systems or firefighting equipment. The association has also called for unified international standards governing fire safety in buildings. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.04am BST | at 10.04am BST |
| 9.39am BST | 9.39am BST |
| 09:39 | 09:39 |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| Thousands of people have signed a petition to get the family of two Syrian refugees affected by the Grenfell fire to the UK. | Thousands of people have signed a petition to get the family of two Syrian refugees affected by the Grenfell fire to the UK. |
| Mohammed Alhajali, 24, an engineering student who fled Syria three years ago, was the first victim to be identified. He died in the blaze, while his older brother Omar, 25, was taken to hospital after escaping. | Mohammed Alhajali, 24, an engineering student who fled Syria three years ago, was the first victim to be identified. He died in the blaze, while his older brother Omar, 25, was taken to hospital after escaping. |
| An online petition is now calling for the government to grant an emergency visa to allow the brother’s parents to come to UK to attend Mohammad’s funeral and visit Omar in hospital. | An online petition is now calling for the government to grant an emergency visa to allow the brother’s parents to come to UK to attend Mohammad’s funeral and visit Omar in hospital. |
| The brothers, along with other members of their family reportedly came to Britain from southern Syria three years ago and were given asylum in Britain. The petition page said Mohammed’s last words to his brother were: “The smoke is getting in, the smoke is getting in, we are going to die, we are going to die.” | The brothers, along with other members of their family reportedly came to Britain from southern Syria three years ago and were given asylum in Britain. The petition page said Mohammed’s last words to his brother were: “The smoke is getting in, the smoke is getting in, we are going to die, we are going to die.” |
| The page, set up by Mirna Ayoubi, reads: “His parents have applied for an emergency visa to visit Omar their son in hospital and attend their son Mohammad’s funeral. Please help us collect as many signatures as possible to get them to the UK.” | The page, set up by Mirna Ayoubi, reads: “His parents have applied for an emergency visa to visit Omar their son in hospital and attend their son Mohammad’s funeral. Please help us collect as many signatures as possible to get them to the UK.” |
| Over 4,000 supporters from around the world have already signed to show their support, leaving dozens of messages. | Over 4,000 supporters from around the world have already signed to show their support, leaving dozens of messages. |
| Syria Solidarity Campaign director Kareen El Beyrouty has launched a campaign towards funeral costs. | Syria Solidarity Campaign director Kareen El Beyrouty has launched a campaign towards funeral costs. |
| The appeal said: “Mohammed Alhajali undertook a dangerous journey to flee war in Syria, only to meet death here in the UK, in his own home. His dream was to be able to go back home one day and rebuild Syria.” | The appeal said: “Mohammed Alhajali undertook a dangerous journey to flee war in Syria, only to meet death here in the UK, in his own home. His dream was to be able to go back home one day and rebuild Syria.” |
| 9.34am BST | 9.34am BST |
| 09:34 | 09:34 |
| The London fire brigade continues to use sniffer dogs and drones to search the burnt-out and unstable Grenfell Tower. | The London fire brigade continues to use sniffer dogs and drones to search the burnt-out and unstable Grenfell Tower. |
| On Thursday, fire commissioner Dany Cotton said a full search could not take place until firefighters and the local authority had built structures to shore up the tower so it was safe to enter. | On Thursday, fire commissioner Dany Cotton said a full search could not take place until firefighters and the local authority had built structures to shore up the tower so it was safe to enter. |
| A drone courtesy of @kentfirerescue & specialist search dogs are all part of our operations with @metpoliceuk at #GrenfellTower #999Family pic.twitter.com/3bCWXYmWvC | A drone courtesy of @kentfirerescue & specialist search dogs are all part of our operations with @metpoliceuk at #GrenfellTower #999Family pic.twitter.com/3bCWXYmWvC |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.04am BST | at 10.04am BST |
| 9.27am BST | 9.27am BST |
| 09:27 | 09:27 |
| More than 70 people are believed to be unaccounted for since the blaze, according to the Press Associaiton. | More than 70 people are believed to be unaccounted for since the blaze, according to the Press Associaiton. |
| Six bodies have been recovered from the gutted 24-storey tower, while 11 have been located inside but cannot yet be removed. | Six bodies have been recovered from the gutted 24-storey tower, while 11 have been located inside but cannot yet be removed. |
| Metropolitan police commander Stuart Cundy responded to speculation that the number of dead could exceed 100, saying: “For those of us that have been down there, it’s pretty emotional, so I hope it is not triple figures, but I can’t be drawn on the numbers.” | Metropolitan police commander Stuart Cundy responded to speculation that the number of dead could exceed 100, saying: “For those of us that have been down there, it’s pretty emotional, so I hope it is not triple figures, but I can’t be drawn on the numbers.” |
| More appeals were put up overnight on Thursday as relatives became increasingly distraught about their loved ones. | More appeals were put up overnight on Thursday as relatives became increasingly distraught about their loved ones. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.05am BST | at 10.05am BST |
| 9.17am BST | 9.17am BST |
| 09:17 | 09:17 |
| Geoff Wilkinson, managing director of Wilkinson Construction Consultants, has a list of 20 key questions that the Grenfell fire investigation needs to ask. | Geoff Wilkinson, managing director of Wilkinson Construction Consultants, has a list of 20 key questions that the Grenfell fire investigation needs to ask. |
| 3: where the fire service consulted 4: can we see a copy of the consultation response 5: how many site inspections were made | 3: where the fire service consulted 4: can we see a copy of the consultation response 5: how many site inspections were made |
| 8: did the contractor rely only on the minimum statutory inspections or did they employ their own clerk of works to inspect | 8: did the contractor rely only on the minimum statutory inspections or did they employ their own clerk of works to inspect |
| 10: was the fire risk assessment updated as a result of the works11: can we see a copy of the fire risk assessment | 10: was the fire risk assessment updated as a result of the works11: can we see a copy of the fire risk assessment |
| 12: what recommendations did the fire risk assessor make13: were those recommendations acted upon | 12: what recommendations did the fire risk assessor make13: were those recommendations acted upon |
| 14: was any further work (e.g. Gas main) carried out after the building control sign off15: if so did that work require approval | 14: was any further work (e.g. Gas main) carried out after the building control sign off15: if so did that work require approval |
| 16: when was the last fire risk assessment carried out 17: when were fire doors last checked18: when were emergency lights last tested | 16: when was the last fire risk assessment carried out 17: when were fire doors last checked18: when were emergency lights last tested |
| 19: when were smoke control systems last tested20: can a sample of the cladding be taken off and tested urgently and publicly | 19: when were smoke control systems last tested20: can a sample of the cladding be taken off and tested urgently and publicly |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.27am BST | at 9.27am BST |
| 9.07am BST | 9.07am BST |
| 09:07 | 09:07 |
| Former housing minister evades questions | Former housing minister evades questions |
| Gavin Barwell, who was housing minister before losing his seat in last week’s general election and is now the prime minister’s chief of staff, has ducked questions about his failure to act on warnings about fire safety in the wake of the Lakanal House fire in 2009. | Gavin Barwell, who was housing minister before losing his seat in last week’s general election and is now the prime minister’s chief of staff, has ducked questions about his failure to act on warnings about fire safety in the wake of the Lakanal House fire in 2009. |
| Barwell refused to answer Sky News questions over why he delayed a review into tower block fire safety. | |
| Barwell told the Commons last October that part B of the building regulations, which cover fire safety, would be reviewed as part of a process following a coroner’s 2013 report into the fire. | Barwell told the Commons last October that part B of the building regulations, which cover fire safety, would be reviewed as part of a process following a coroner’s 2013 report into the fire. |
| Barwell said: “We have not set out any formal plans to review the building regulations as a whole, but we have publicly committed ourselves to reviewing part B following the Lakanal House fire.” However, since then his department has not published any review. | Barwell said: “We have not set out any formal plans to review the building regulations as a whole, but we have publicly committed ourselves to reviewing part B following the Lakanal House fire.” However, since then his department has not published any review. |
| He refused to answer questions on Sky News as he walked down Whitehall on his way to work in Downing Street on Friday morning. | He refused to answer questions on Sky News as he walked down Whitehall on his way to work in Downing Street on Friday morning. |
| #GrenfellTower: We ask Gavin Barwell, former housing minister and Theresa May's new chief of staff, about the #LondonFire pic.twitter.com/suOtfz6llt | #GrenfellTower: We ask Gavin Barwell, former housing minister and Theresa May's new chief of staff, about the #LondonFire pic.twitter.com/suOtfz6llt |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.18am BST | |
| 8.58am BST | 8.58am BST |
| 08:58 | 08:58 |
| Javid was asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether he and his four children could sleep easy in a building like Grenfell Tower in the wake of the fire. | Javid was asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether he and his four children could sleep easy in a building like Grenfell Tower in the wake of the fire. |
| “Any human being would be worried … about their families,” he acknowledged. | “Any human being would be worried … about their families,” he acknowledged. |
| “There will be emergency inspections of all similar buildings across the country. The work has started now,” Javid added repeating a point he made to BBC News (see earlier). | “There will be emergency inspections of all similar buildings across the country. The work has started now,” Javid added repeating a point he made to BBC News (see earlier). |
| But Javid also appeared to concede that the government had failed to act on previous fire warnings. | But Javid also appeared to concede that the government had failed to act on previous fire warnings. |
| “If enough had been done, this shouldn’t have happened, and that’s why we need to find out what exactly has happened here,” he said. | “If enough had been done, this shouldn’t have happened, and that’s why we need to find out what exactly has happened here,” he said. |
| Asked about the coroners’ recommendations after six people died at Lakanal House in 2009, Javid said: | Asked about the coroners’ recommendations after six people died at Lakanal House in 2009, Javid said: |
| This is why we need a public investigation. My predecessor responded to that report publicly about how they [the recommendations] would be actioned. The coroner did not recommend new planning regulations. The coroner recommended a change in the guidance. There is a lot of information out there and it is right that it is independently looked at by a judge-led inquiry.” | This is why we need a public investigation. My predecessor responded to that report publicly about how they [the recommendations] would be actioned. The coroner did not recommend new planning regulations. The coroner recommended a change in the guidance. There is a lot of information out there and it is right that it is independently looked at by a judge-led inquiry.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.06am BST | at 9.06am BST |
| 8.48am BST | 8.48am BST |
| 08:48 | 08:48 |
| Jamie Grierson | Jamie Grierson |
| There’s an eerie quiet around Grenfell Tower this morning. There’s little sign of the police and firefighter presence that filled the streets just two days ago as emergency services fought to control the flames and cope with hundreds of displaced residents. | There’s an eerie quiet around Grenfell Tower this morning. There’s little sign of the police and firefighter presence that filled the streets just two days ago as emergency services fought to control the flames and cope with hundreds of displaced residents. |
| The blackened wreck of the tower looms behind Latymer Community church, which was used as a relief centre in the aftermath of the fire. | |
| The church is plastered with “missing” posters appealing for information for family and friends not seen since the fire took hold (see earlier). | The church is plastered with “missing” posters appealing for information for family and friends not seen since the fire took hold (see earlier). |
| Children, adults, whole families feature in the heartbreaking array of appeals. One side of the church has become a makeshift tribute wall where people have written hundreds, possibly thousands, of messages to the missing, the deceased and their relatives expressing love and sympathy. | Children, adults, whole families feature in the heartbreaking array of appeals. One side of the church has become a makeshift tribute wall where people have written hundreds, possibly thousands, of messages to the missing, the deceased and their relatives expressing love and sympathy. |
| Flowers have been laid outside nearby Notting Hill Methodist church, where many “missing” posters can also be found. | Flowers have been laid outside nearby Notting Hill Methodist church, where many “missing” posters can also be found. |
| Here's a wall of tributes on the side of the Latymer community church in the tower's shadow. Missing appeal posters have been put up. pic.twitter.com/FzYlGfgk4X | Here's a wall of tributes on the side of the Latymer community church in the tower's shadow. Missing appeal posters have been put up. pic.twitter.com/FzYlGfgk4X |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.19am BST | |
| 8.33am BST | 8.33am BST |
| 08:33 | 08:33 |
| Harriet Harman, the Labour MP whose constituency includes Lakanal House in south London where six people were killed in 2009, has urged the prime minister to invite residents to Downing Street after failing to meet them during Thursday’s low-key visit. | Harriet Harman, the Labour MP whose constituency includes Lakanal House in south London where six people were killed in 2009, has urged the prime minister to invite residents to Downing Street after failing to meet them during Thursday’s low-key visit. |
| Ok, @theresa_may wrong not to meet #Grenfell tower residents. But she could do now & invite to Downing st to hear (We did re Lakanal) | Ok, @theresa_may wrong not to meet #Grenfell tower residents. But she could do now & invite to Downing st to hear (We did re Lakanal) |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.08am BST | at 9.08am BST |
| 8.29am BST | 8.29am BST |
| 08:29 | 08:29 |
| Jamie Grierson | Jamie Grierson |
| Dozens of appeals for missing people have been made on the side of the Latymer community church in the tower’s shadow. Here’s a selection: | Dozens of appeals for missing people have been made on the side of the Latymer community church in the tower’s shadow. Here’s a selection: |
| Missing person #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/6811Qi8Itm | Missing person #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/6811Qi8Itm |
| Missing: Ali Jafari #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/ouK8R9MIZd | Missing: Ali Jafari #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/ouK8R9MIZd |
| Missing: Fathiya Alsanonse #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/BRVD8e2dZJ | Missing: Fathiya Alsanonse #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/BRVD8e2dZJ |
| Missing: Ray aka Moses #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/eAsXmolPmX | Missing: Ray aka Moses #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/eAsXmolPmX |
| Missing: the Choucair family #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/2KAahu1AVY | Missing: the Choucair family #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/2KAahu1AVY |
| Missing: Hesham Rahman #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/82uChixqNL | Missing: Hesham Rahman #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/82uChixqNL |
| Missing: Jessica Urbano #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/jaiBwB0Nxm | Missing: Jessica Urbano #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/jaiBwB0Nxm |
| Missing: Omar Belkadi and wife Farah Ramdan #grenfell pic.twitter.com/YWdEB12iD9 | Missing: Omar Belkadi and wife Farah Ramdan #grenfell pic.twitter.com/YWdEB12iD9 |
| Missing: Mariem Elgwahry #grenfell pic.twitter.com/XKRASTCDQ1 | Missing: Mariem Elgwahry #grenfell pic.twitter.com/XKRASTCDQ1 |
| Missing: Nurhuda El-Wahabi and Yasmin El-Wahabi pic.twitter.com/56zBrprXon | Missing: Nurhuda El-Wahabi and Yasmin El-Wahabi pic.twitter.com/56zBrprXon |
| Missing: siblings Firdaws and Yahya #grenfell pic.twitter.com/sl2lt6T2jV | Missing: siblings Firdaws and Yahya #grenfell pic.twitter.com/sl2lt6T2jV |
| Missing person #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/WS1J6kBcbP | Missing person #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/WS1J6kBcbP |
| Missing persons #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/a2yxewIxzh | Missing persons #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/a2yxewIxzh |
| Missing: Stefan Anthony Mills #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/BXwqseurnW | Missing: Stefan Anthony Mills #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/BXwqseurnW |
| Missing person #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/Uw1RjslOlK | Missing person #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/Uw1RjslOlK |
| Missing: Marjorie Vital #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/GXqPhWmaUY | Missing: Marjorie Vital #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/GXqPhWmaUY |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.09am BST | at 9.09am BST |
| 8.21am BST | 8.21am BST |
| 08:21 | 08:21 |
| The Sun has listed 65 people who it said were still missing or feared dead in the Grenfell Tower fire, which police said has killed 17 people with the death toll expected to rise. | The Sun has listed 65 people who it said were still missing or feared dead in the Grenfell Tower fire, which police said has killed 17 people with the death toll expected to rise. |
| The Sun: At least 65 people missing or feared dead in London fire https://t.co/eobu8xdwni #LondonFire #London pic.twitter.com/hLQfuRawOL | The Sun: At least 65 people missing or feared dead in London fire https://t.co/eobu8xdwni #LondonFire #London pic.twitter.com/hLQfuRawOL |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.23am BST | at 8.23am BST |
| 8.16am BST | 8.16am BST |
| 08:16 | 08:16 |
| Campaigners are planning to protest outside Javid’s Communities department on Marsham Street in central London at 6pm tonight. | Campaigners are planning to protest outside Javid’s Communities department on Marsham Street in central London at 6pm tonight. |
| They will be demanding “Justice for Grenfell”. | They will be demanding “Justice for Grenfell”. |
| 8.08am BST | 8.08am BST |
| 08:08 | 08:08 |
| Sajid Javid pledges to meet survivors | Sajid Javid pledges to meet survivors |
| Communities secretary Sajid Javid has pledged to meet survivors of the tragedy when he visits the scene today after the prime minister was criticised for avoiding residents during her trip on Thursday. | Communities secretary Sajid Javid has pledged to meet survivors of the tragedy when he visits the scene today after the prime minister was criticised for avoiding residents during her trip on Thursday. |
| Speaking to BBC Breakfast Javid defended the prime minister’s controversial low key visit. He said: “The prime minister went yesterday. I think it was absolutely right to do so – to go as quickly as she could, but to learn about the operation and to discover if there is anything more that the government could be doing to help.” | Speaking to BBC Breakfast Javid defended the prime minister’s controversial low key visit. He said: “The prime minister went yesterday. I think it was absolutely right to do so – to go as quickly as she could, but to learn about the operation and to discover if there is anything more that the government could be doing to help.” |
| But he acknowledged the need for ministers to visit those caught up in the fire. He said: “I will be going along today and I will be visiting one of the centres, because one of the areas that my department is involved in is trying to make sure the council is helped in anyway it can. I want to make sure that everyone that needs to be rehoused, first of all has the right quality local temporary accommodation, but I also want to make sure that they have permanent accommodation somewhere local.” | But he acknowledged the need for ministers to visit those caught up in the fire. He said: “I will be going along today and I will be visiting one of the centres, because one of the areas that my department is involved in is trying to make sure the council is helped in anyway it can. I want to make sure that everyone that needs to be rehoused, first of all has the right quality local temporary accommodation, but I also want to make sure that they have permanent accommodation somewhere local.” |
| He added: “I want to make sure that we are doing everything we possibly can to help.” | He added: “I want to make sure that we are doing everything we possibly can to help.” |
| Asked about the number of people missing in the fire, Javid said: “They [the police] are preparing the country for further fatalities, but I don’t have any more information at this point.” | Asked about the number of people missing in the fire, Javid said: “They [the police] are preparing the country for further fatalities, but I don’t have any more information at this point.” |
| Javid confirmed that the government has launched an emergency fire review of high rise blocks to reassure residents living in similar accommodation. It will identify which blocks have been reclad in material similar to that used at Grenfell Tower. He said: | Javid confirmed that the government has launched an emergency fire review of high rise blocks to reassure residents living in similar accommodation. It will identify which blocks have been reclad in material similar to that used at Grenfell Tower. He said: |
| We have to be led by the experts in this. This will be done in a matter of days. Those people need to be given reassurance within days. There are about 4,000 high-rise buildings in the country, but not all of them have been recladded. Let’s not make the assumption it is all about cladding. As soon as we have more information, which we expect later today, or certainly over the weekend, then that is what should be used to do these emergency inspections. We will do whatever it takes to make those buildings safe or make those people safe. | We have to be led by the experts in this. This will be done in a matter of days. Those people need to be given reassurance within days. There are about 4,000 high-rise buildings in the country, but not all of them have been recladded. Let’s not make the assumption it is all about cladding. As soon as we have more information, which we expect later today, or certainly over the weekend, then that is what should be used to do these emergency inspections. We will do whatever it takes to make those buildings safe or make those people safe. |
| But Javid dodged questions about where residents in tower blocks with similar cladding would be evacuated. “We have to be led by the evidence,” he said. | But Javid dodged questions about where residents in tower blocks with similar cladding would be evacuated. “We have to be led by the evidence,” he said. |
| He also gave vague answers about whether the government would retrofit sprinkler systems to tower blocks. “I don’t think we can immediately jump to the conclusion that sprinklers is the issue here,” he said adding “we will do whatever it takes”. | He also gave vague answers about whether the government would retrofit sprinkler systems to tower blocks. “I don’t think we can immediately jump to the conclusion that sprinklers is the issue here,” he said adding “we will do whatever it takes”. |
| “Right now in the short term, no one wants to wait months or years for a public inquiry to end, we need the fire inspection report, and we need it quick so it can be acted on. | “Right now in the short term, no one wants to wait months or years for a public inquiry to end, we need the fire inspection report, and we need it quick so it can be acted on. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.28am BST | at 8.28am BST |
| 7.27am BST | 7.27am BST |
| 07:27 | 07:27 |
| Matthew Weaver | Matthew Weaver |
| Police have warned they may never be able to identify all of the people who died in the fire as a growing list of those missing indicates that the official death toll misrepresents the scale of the tragedy. | Police have warned they may never be able to identify all of the people who died in the fire as a growing list of those missing indicates that the official death toll misrepresents the scale of the tragedy. |
| The names of dozens of people missing in the fire have been circulating online amid mounting anger about the time it is taking to confirm the identities of those killed. | The names of dozens of people missing in the fire have been circulating online amid mounting anger about the time it is taking to confirm the identities of those killed. |
| So far the official death toll stands at 17, a figure that police acknowledge is likely to rise significantly. | So far the official death toll stands at 17, a figure that police acknowledge is likely to rise significantly. |
| The pop star Lily Allen, who lives and grew up in the area, accused officials of trying to “micromanage people’s grieving” after hearing unconfirmed reports that the eventual death toll could be as high as 150. | The pop star Lily Allen, who lives and grew up in the area, accused officials of trying to “micromanage people’s grieving” after hearing unconfirmed reports that the eventual death toll could be as high as 150. |
| Speaking to Channel 4 News she said: “I have never in my entire life seen an event like this were the death count has been downplayed by the mainstream media.” | Speaking to Channel 4 News she said: “I have never in my entire life seen an event like this were the death count has been downplayed by the mainstream media.” |
| Lily Allen: 'The government is trying to micromanage grief' https://t.co/XRUbEEJ8Yy via @jonsnowC4 | Lily Allen: 'The government is trying to micromanage grief' https://t.co/XRUbEEJ8Yy via @jonsnowC4 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.30am BST | at 8.30am BST |