This article is from the source 'independent' 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 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/grenfell-tower-fire-gavin-barwell-tower-block-safety-regulation-review-housing-minister-tory-theresa-a7792966.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Grenfell Tower fire: Theresa May's top aide Gavin Barwell dodges questions over failure to undertake tower block safety review Grenfell Tower fire: Theresa May's top aide Gavin Barwell dodges questions over failure to undertake tower block safety review
(3 months later)
Theresa May’s new chief of staff has refused to answer questions over his failure to undertake a review of safety regulation relating to tower blocks, ahead of the Grenfell fire.Theresa May’s new chief of staff has refused to answer questions over his failure to undertake a review of safety regulation relating to tower blocks, ahead of the Grenfell fire.
Gavin Barwell was pursued down Whitehall by a television reporter demanding answers to questions about the review – which for years experts have called for – but remained silent.Gavin Barwell was pursued down Whitehall by a television reporter demanding answers to questions about the review – which for years experts have called for – but remained silent.
Mr Barwell was housing minister until the election when he lost his seat in Parliament, but was immediately taken on as Ms May’s most senior aide.Mr Barwell was housing minister until the election when he lost his seat in Parliament, but was immediately taken on as Ms May’s most senior aide.
In 2013, the All-Party Parliamentary Fire Safety & Rescue Group called for a review of safety regulation, after six people died and more than 20 were hurt in the 2009 blaze at Lakanal House in Camberwell.In 2013, the All-Party Parliamentary Fire Safety & Rescue Group called for a review of safety regulation, after six people died and more than 20 were hurt in the 2009 blaze at Lakanal House in Camberwell.
But the group’s honorary administrative secretary, Ronnie King, said successive ministers – including Mr Barwell – had failed to carry out the review that the group’s report called for.But the group’s honorary administrative secretary, Ronnie King, said successive ministers – including Mr Barwell – had failed to carry out the review that the group’s report called for.
Speaking to LBC radio, he said the group had looked at fire suppression measures in all the tower blocks with similar designs as Grenfell, and noted that there were around 4,000 buildings with no fire sprinklers fitted.Speaking to LBC radio, he said the group had looked at fire suppression measures in all the tower blocks with similar designs as Grenfell, and noted that there were around 4,000 buildings with no fire sprinklers fitted.
He added: “Our group recommended that, due to the speed that the fire spread in Lakanal House, building regulations should be reviewed.He added: “Our group recommended that, due to the speed that the fire spread in Lakanal House, building regulations should be reviewed.
“It’s nearly 11 years since it has been reviewed.”“It’s nearly 11 years since it has been reviewed.”
Former chief fire office Mr King confirmed that earlier this year, Mr Barwell told him he was still considering the proposals for a review.Former chief fire office Mr King confirmed that earlier this year, Mr Barwell told him he was still considering the proposals for a review.
He added: “Mr Barwell said he was still looking at it and was preparing to meet with the All-Party group. That's when the election was called, and the meeting never happened.”He added: “Mr Barwell said he was still looking at it and was preparing to meet with the All-Party group. That's when the election was called, and the meeting never happened.”
Latest iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iOS 11 news live – follow all the updates here.