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| Tory government wants to move Notting Hill carnival because of Grenfell Tower fire disaster | Tory government wants to move Notting Hill carnival because of Grenfell Tower fire disaster |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Conservative minister has called on Sadiq Khan to move Notting Hill carnival away from the area it has been held in for 50 years because of the Grenfell Tower fire. | |
| In a move that has sparked anger, Minister of State for International Trade Greg Hands told the London Mayor the carnival should be moved due to its proximity to a "major disaster site." | |
| The Chelsea and Fulham MP also called for the Greater London Authority (GLA) to take over the running of the event in conjunction with the organisers. | The Chelsea and Fulham MP also called for the Greater London Authority (GLA) to take over the running of the event in conjunction with the organisers. |
| "The carnival is an important and symbolic community celebration in our capital's calendar...clearly it must go ahead," he wrote. | "The carnival is an important and symbolic community celebration in our capital's calendar...clearly it must go ahead," he wrote. |
| "However, we have to ask ourselves if it is appropriate to stage a Carnival in the near proximity of a major national disaster. | "However, we have to ask ourselves if it is appropriate to stage a Carnival in the near proximity of a major national disaster. |
| "I would like you to consider moving the location and the GLA, with its experience of running major events, taking over the Carnival, in conjunction with the current organisers." | "I would like you to consider moving the location and the GLA, with its experience of running major events, taking over the Carnival, in conjunction with the current organisers." |
| But the comments have been condemned by members of the local community, who have accused the MP of using the Grenfell Tower disaster as an "excuse" to move the carnival. | But the comments have been condemned by members of the local community, who have accused the MP of using the Grenfell Tower disaster as an "excuse" to move the carnival. |
| One community organiser told The Independent: "It just shows how detached politicians are from what's going on on the ground. I think this is another ploy to try to move it or get rid of it, it happens every year, it’s just another excuse. | |
| "If anything this should be an opportunity to come together to honour the victims." | |
| Confrontations between the police and carnival-goers has not been uncommon in its 50-year history, stemming from its first year when it was run without local authority permission. | |
| But growing tensions between the north Kensington community and authorities in the wake of the fire that killed at least 80 people has led some to fear civil unrest. | |
| Justice4Grenfell coordinator Yvette Williams told The Independent there is always a "propaganda campaign" leading up to the carnival over fears the event could provoke riots. | |
| "The carnival route does not go near Grenfell and I'm failing to find the link between the Grenfell Tower fire and carnival," she said. "There is always a propaganda campaign about riots leading up to carnival every year." | |
| Mr Khan quickly shut down Mr Hands' request, writing on Twitter: "Notting Hill Carnival is a firm London tradition and incredibly important to the local community. It should not be moved." | Mr Khan quickly shut down Mr Hands' request, writing on Twitter: "Notting Hill Carnival is a firm London tradition and incredibly important to the local community. It should not be moved." |