Tensions Erupt as Angela Rayner Announces Grenfell Tower Demolition

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Angela Rayner’s meeting with those affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy descended into chaos as she revealed that the devastated high-rise would be demolished to ground level. The deputy prime minister, who had anticipated a difficult conversation, reportedly grew flustered and defensive in the face of emotional and angry reactions from survivors and bereaved families. The atmosphere became so tense that she was eventually escorted from the room by security.  

 

The meeting, held near the remains of Grenfell Tower, was expected to address the fate of the building where 72 people lost their lives in 2017. Though an announcement had been anticipated, Rayner’s firm statement that the structure would be dismantled entirely took many in attendance by surprise, prompting an audible gasp from the room.  

 

For those who consider Grenfell’s charred remains a sacred site, the sudden finality of her words was deeply unsettling. Despite acknowledging the gravity of the decision, Rayner quickly found herself overwhelmed by a wave of anger. According to one person present, the discussion became a “car crash,” with raised voices and mounting frustration.  

 

“It was such a horrible meeting,” said Karim Mussilhy, vice-chairman of Grenfell United, an advocacy group for survivors and bereaved families. “She’s just gone about it completely the wrong way. And I think they’ve completely messed up the relationship with the Grenfell families.”  

 

Mussilhy recalled that Rayner was repeatedly questioned about how many families had been consulted before the decision was made, but she was unable to provide an answer. “You could see she was getting quite flustered and angry, and then shortly after that she was escorted out of the room,” he said.  

 

At one point during the meeting, those present were asked to raise their hands if they had been directly consulted about the demolition. Very few did. The outrage in the room was not just about the decision itself but about how it had been reached. Many attendees felt that, once again, their voices had been disregarded—a painful echo of past failures by those in power.  

 

A public inquiry last year determined that the deaths in the Grenfell fire were preventable, the result of systemic neglect spanning decades. Residents had repeatedly raised safety concerns, but politicians failed to act. The announcement regarding the tower’s fate follows years of inaction by Conservative ministers, who had delayed a final decision until now.  

 

In 2019, structural engineers recommended demolishing the building at least down to the tenth floor due to concerns over the stability of its upper sections. Although the tower is currently secure, experts warned that the internal concrete will degrade over time due to weather exposure, making demolition increasingly dangerous the longer it is postponed.  

 

Some survivors had proposed a compromise: demolishing the top floors while preserving the lower section to incorporate into a permanent memorial. Emma O’Connor, who lived on the 20th floor and escaped the fire, voiced support for this approach. Speaking to the BBC, she explained, “We understand it’s unsafe, but if it’s out of sight, it will definitely be out of mind for those responsible for the tragic deaths.”  

 

Rayner had conducted several consultation meetings in January, but the process was widely criticized as chaotic. Some families did not receive letters informing them of the meetings, while last-minute schedule changes left others unable to attend. Many had hoped to be properly consulted before a final decision was made, but this did not happen.  

 

When Rayner finally confirmed that the tower would be taken “to the ground,” the room erupted in shock and anger. Sitting at the back, Mussilhy stood up and asked how many families she had spoken to before making the decision. “She turned around and said, ‘I can’t, I can’t give you that.’ Everyone got really upset and angry.”  

 

He added, “We understand it’s inevitable that the tower can’t remain the way it is indefinitely. But you need to have a meaningful consultation and conversation with the bereaved families. Our families’ remains are still embedded in that concrete.”  

 

For many in the community, the handling of this announcement has only reinforced the feeling that they are still being ignored—just as they were before the tragedy unfolded.

 

Based on a report by The Times 2025-02-08