rooster59 Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 UK's May rushed from area of London fire after protests By Alistair Smout and Jamillah Knowles A demonstrator shouts during a protest outside Kensington Town Hall, following the fire that destroyed The Grenfell Tower block, in north Kensington, West London, Britain June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May was rushed away under heavy police guard on Friday as protesters shouted "Shame on you" after she met residents who live near a tower block in London where at least 30 people died in a fire. May, already under pressure after a botched snap election, is facing widespread criticism for her response to the blaze. She has promised to set up a public inquiry and pledged 5 million pounds ($6.40 million) to help the victims. Separately, hundreds of protesters stormed the local town hall chanting: "We want justice." May has outlined a series of measures to help those left homeless by the devastating fire which engulfed the 24-storey apartment block on Wednesday. But fury has grown in the local community at what people say is the slow response from authorities to the fire and a failure to inform families and friends about the fate of loved ones. Media reports have said about 70 people are expected to have been killed, although police have not confirmed this. Local residents also say they are angry that their safety concerns had been ignored and that people had been told to stay in their flats in the event of a fire. May, who on Thursday met emergency services at the fire site but did not meet locals, visited residents, volunteers and community leaders at a nearby church on Friday and was rushed away afterwards by police as an angry crowd outside shouted "Coward" and "You're not wanted". A couple of miles away in west London, several hundred protesters stormed Kensington and Chelsea council town hall. The protesters barged their way through an automatic door at and sought to gain entry to an upper floor. Police barred their way and scuffles broke out, a Reuters reporter said. The protesters chanted: "We want justice", "bring them out" and "shame on you". The protesters were angered when no one from the council came out to address their concerns, reporters said. The local authority, which owns the tower block where families rent their homes, says it is doing all it can to support the victims and to help the relief operation. It issued a statement before the protest to try to address the concerns of residents. "We entirely support the calling of the public inquiry and will cooperate in whatever way we can with it so that local people have all the answers about what has happened," the council, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, said. DIVIDED SOCIETY While the deadly blaze at the Grenfell Tower in north Kensington has prompted an outpouring of generosity, it has also unleashed rage at the authorities as the charred tower was cast as a deadly symbol of a divided society. The block, which housed some 600 people in about 120 apartments, is in a low-rent housing estate next to one of the most affluent areas of Britain. There have been demands for answers as to how the blaze was able to engulf the building, trapping many on the upper floors. Exterior cladding that was added during a recent refurbishment might have played a part, local residents have said. The fire broke out less than a week after a election in which May lost her parliamentary majority. The criticism over the blaze has added to pressure on May who is trying to strike a deal with a Northern Irish party to stay in power. Her government is also due to launch difficult Brexit talks with the European Union on Monday. Earlier on Friday, May met victims privately at a central London hospital. "I spoke with people who ran from the fire in only the clothes they were wearing," she said in a statement. "They have been left with nothing – no bank cards, no money, no means of caring for their children or relatives. One woman told me she had escaped in only her top and underwear." She has promised those left homeless by the blaze would be rehoused locally within weeks, and the 5 million pound fund would pay for emergency supplies, food, clothes and other costs. But even those within her own party said May should have faced the locals herself earlier. "She should have been there with the residents. You have to be prepared to receive people's emotions, and not be so frightened about people," former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Portillo told the BBC. QUEEN VISITS London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote to May on Friday, saying residents felt increasingly enraged and frustrated by the slow response from the authorities. "The local community feels their grief has been made worse by the lack of information about their missing family members and friends," he wrote. Residents in other blocks with the same exterior cladding as Grenfell Tower were concerned, he wrote. "People are terrified that the same thing could happen to them," said Khan. However, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who was London mayor until last year, took to Facebook to attack opposition Labour politicians for "political game playing". Queen Elizabeth, 91, and her grandson Prince William also visited residents and emergency workers on Friday. "That's one of the most terrible things I have ever seen," William said of the tower's blackened shell. Some desperate residents pleaded to speak to the queen and her grandson about their plight and the fate of missing children as they left the site, with William promising he would return. London police said an investigation, led by a detective from its homicide and major crime unit, would examine whether criminal offences had been committed although they said there was nothing to suggest the fire was started deliberately. Commander Stuart Cundy said they had been able to remove the remains of only 12 victims from the building. "Sadly, it is expected that the total will rise and it is not expected that any survivors will be found," he said. Police have said it could take months to search the building and some victims might never be identified. -- © Copyright Reuters 2017-06-17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharp Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 Why have I got the feeling this tragedy is being used as a 'tool'!!! Sent from my SM-P555 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nausea Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 Maybe but May isn't doing herself any favours; remember how Macron turned around a Pen media ambush by meeting striking workers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGareth2 Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 most of the protesters have no direct contact with the block Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinneil Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 I voted tory all my life, now living here i dont vote anymore, which is a good thing because after seeing Theresa May on tv her total lack of compassion/humanity disgusts me. The Queen/ Corbyn could take time to speak, offer support to the victims, yet May only spoke to emergency people. She only went back yesterday, after her advisers told her you <deleted> UP. The people showed their resentment/disgust at her actions. As 1 man said on tv !!She was as cold as a fish !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 Damned if she did, damned if she didn't.As someone ( AGareth2) said above most of the protestors had nothing to do with the block.If Mrs May or anyone from the council had come out and spoken to the protestors they would have been harmed. I notice that Russel Brand and Lilly Allen have been prominent on Facebook with the "Tories are Brutal" mantra. This tragic horrific event has been grabbed by the left, the same left who were rejected in the election 10 days ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenbrwn1 Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 Didn't take very long for the left to play the race/immigrant card here and gather their forces. Soon the riots will begin. And that's when my sympathy for this terrible event be withered away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGareth2 Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 1 minute ago, goldenbrwn1 said: Didn't take very long for the left to play the race/immigrant card here and gather their forces. Soon the riots will begin. And that's when my sympathy for this terrible event be withered away. it would seem that at least one of the organisers is a staunch Corbyn supporter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soalbundy Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 On Monday the Brexit talks start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 3 hours ago, AGareth2 said: most of the protesters have no direct contact with the block Neither do I but I'm pretty angry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGareth2 Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 13 minutes ago, Grouse said: Neither do I but I'm pretty angry! understand I am shocked and greatly saddened by the loss of life I lost a dear friend to fire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 23 minutes ago, AGareth2 said: understand I am shocked and greatly saddened by the loss of life I lost a dear friend to fire Very sorry to hear that ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4737 Carlin Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 How is Theresa May responsible for the fire ? These things happen all over the developing world. If you import and subsidise a third world population then eventually your country will look like the third world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/theresa-may-criticised-inhuman-newsnight-interview-grenfell-fire-response-meeting-victims-latest-a7794506.html Day goodbye Teresa. You're just not good enough ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metisdead Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 A troll post and a reply have been removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evadgib Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 I'm glad i'm not alone in thinking she can't win either way. How did Khans letter become public knowledge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onthesoi Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 2 hours ago, 4737 Carlin said: How is Theresa May responsible for the fire ? These things happen all over the developing world. Theresa May's political party has spent the last 7 years reducing council budgets to the bare bones via their austerity policies, so when an incident like this happens the council have no resources at hand to do anything about it, for eg emergency housing, food etc, all the help that has been given so far is from the public gifting food and offering people to sleep in their home etc Apparently the UK economy is booming and they are one of the greatest economies in the world, but yet in a disaster like this we are seeing the real story, even in the capital of London in a very wealthy area the local government/council have no real resources they can use to do anything to help these people....that is why people are angry. I can't think of anyone who is more to blame than Theresa May as she is the current head of government and has been an important part of the government for the last 7 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 These things can develop a "" momentum" of their own don't you know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the jungle Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 It must have been obvious that she was likely to face an unpredictable and hostile reception. I would lay blame primarily with those around her who gave insufficient thought to how to manage the situation and its presentation. Veering today to the opposite end of the spectrum with a meeting in fortress Downing Street is not a good look either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champers Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 There is strong anti-establishment feeling in many countries just now and those who are sinned against have every right to stick up for themselves. If the Labour party is helping those protesting, good for them and more power to their elbow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargeezr Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 If the local Authority of this place owned the tower, then shame on all of them for ignoring the fire risks for so long. Shame on them for allowing this cheap cladding to be put on this building, and for inadequate fire escapes and safety systems not being in place, like at least lots of smoke detectors throughout the building. Some heads have to roll for all of this negligence. The government better be serious about dealing with this tragedy. Geeze Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superal Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 21 hours ago, AGareth2 said: most of the protesters have no direct contact with the block Could it be that they are relatives and friends of the deceased ? or maybe champions of justice ? The residents were not listened to before the fire regarding their concerns of the refurb safety but they are certainly making themselves heard now . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evadgib Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Grenfell Tower: Statement from the Prime Minister : 17 June 2017 http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-40312939/london-fire-queen-holds-minute-s-silence-for-victims Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retiredandhappyhere Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 21 hours ago, Grouse said: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/theresa-may-criticised-inhuman-newsnight-interview-grenfell-fire-response-meeting-victims-latest-a7794506.html Day goodbye Teresa. You're just not good enough ..... Nor is your typing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsetBkk Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 On Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 1:58 PM, JAG said: Damned if she did, damned if she didn't. As someone ( AGareth2) said above most of the protestors had nothing to do with the block. If Mrs May or anyone from the council had come out and spoken to the protestors they would have been harmed. I notice that Russel Brand and Lilly Allen have been prominent on Facebook with the "Tories are Brutal" mantra. This tragic horrific event has been grabbed by the left, the same left who were rejected in the election 10 days ago. 4 hours ago, evadgib said: Grenfell Tower: Statement from the Prime Minister : 17 June 2017 http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-40312939/london-fire-queen-holds-minute-s-silence-for-victims In case you missed it: ...but May must go because she didn't give people a hug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockingrobin Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 1 hour ago, JetsetBkk said: In case you missed it: ...but May must go because she didn't give people a hug. Some of the details appear to be incorrect Ted Heath was the PM when the building was built and approved 1970-74 Emma Coad resigned from the KCMTO in 2012, the decision for the cladding was made in 2014 Sadiq Khan was not the Mayor when the cladding was approved , Boris Johnson was the Mayor in 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenbrwn1 Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 1 hour ago, rockingrobin said: Some of the details appear to be incorrect Ted Heath was the PM when the building was built and approved 1970-74 Emma Coad resigned from the KCMTO in 2012, the decision for the cladding was made in 2014 Sadiq Khan was not the Mayor when the cladding was approved , Boris Johnson was the Mayor in 2014 No 1 government is to blame . It's a tragic event , people need to stop using this to gain favour from 1 party to the other. I'm especially aiming this at the Labour Party and their momentum activists who are on call to protest at a drop of a hat. Let the government sort this out and make sure something similar doesn't happen again. There have been disasters that should of never happened under both the conservatives and labour in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baboon Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 (edited) On 2017-6-17 at 1:27 PM, AGareth2 said: most of the protesters have no direct contact with the block Maybe they are just appalled that fellow human beings could meet with such a horrifying end in their neighborhood in a developed country, as odd as that may appear to some on here. Edited June 18, 2017 by baboon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baboon Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 7 hours ago, rockingrobin said: Some of the details appear to be incorrect Ted Heath was the PM when the building was built and approved 1970-74 Emma Coad resigned from the KCMTO in 2012, the decision for the cladding was made in 2014 Sadiq Khan was not the Mayor when the cladding was approved , Boris Johnson was the Mayor in 2014 "Some of the details appear to be incorrect". No, this was tweet was deliberate misinformation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil B Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 On 2017-6-17 at 10:36 AM, Grouse said: Neither do I but I'm pretty angry! But shouting "we want answers now"... Anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows it is going take time to investigate, just the lefty rabble raisers trying to unstabilise the government... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.3b3332cc2256ad0edbc2fe9404feeef0.png)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now