The Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner broke the news to former residents and relatives of the 72 people who died in a private meeting on Wednesday.
But local residents and campaigners have told City London News of their unhappiness with the decision – one that the Prime Minister has said “has to be made.”
‘A total slap in the face’
Liz Strasz, one of the founders of the North Kensington Residents Alliance, said that the way the news was announced was “cruel” and that it was a “total slap in the face.”
She said ”You do not throw a bomb like that on North Kensington after what we’ve been through.”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government did say that Rayner is “committed to keeping the voice of all of those affected at the heart of this issue.”
‘This is the final betrayal’
Joe Delaney, a former resident of the Grenfell estate and a core participant in the Grenfell Public Inquiry, believed though that the government hasn’t properly communicated with local residents.
He told City London News that “the government has lied to us, the council has lied to us, and this is the final betrayal.”
Strasz feels that there has been no justice but only “total impunity” following the fire nearly eight years ago.
She says that the demolition will be the “final act of the biggest cover up that we’ve seen in this century in the UK.”
Delaney believes that this has led to the local community feeling both “weary” and “angry”, and that they’ve reached a point where they feel “they have nothing to lose.”
Local residents feel ‘betrayed’ at the decision to demolish Grenfell Tower
‘It should be the people’s choice, not the government’s’
Rather than the government deciding to demolish the Tower, residents such as Leo, a teacher in the local area, feels “it should be the people’s choice as to what should be done with the building.”
Delaney echoed this sentiment, saying that he’d “much rather that the tower be preserved.”
He shared his preference for an “exoskeleton put around it with a garden on each side’, as this “‘would be a fitting reminder for the community.”
Ministers warned of safety risk over remaining tower
In 2019, ministers were warned the structure may be unsafe and advised that it should be dismantled down to the 10th floor.
The leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, says that they will wait for the government’s “formal announcement tomorrow and stand ready to work with the community and support them through whatever comes next.”
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HeadlineCampaigners describe Grenfell demolition as ‘final act of the biggest cover up of the century’
Short HeadlineCampaigners describe Grenfell demolition as ‘final act of the biggest cover up of the century’
StandfirstRelatives of the 72 who died in the fire and survivors have told City London News that the decision is a ‘total slap in the face’ and a ‘betrayal’
The Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner broke the news to former residents and relatives of the 72 people who died in a private meeting on Wednesday.
But local residents and campaigners have told City London News of their unhappiness with the decision – one that the Prime Minister has said “has to be made.”
‘A total slap in the face’
Liz Strasz, one of the founders of the North Kensington Residents Alliance, said that the way the news was announced was “cruel” and that it was a “total slap in the face.”
She said ”You do not throw a bomb like that on North Kensington after what we’ve been through.”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government did say that Rayner is “committed to keeping the voice of all of those affected at the heart of this issue.”
‘This is the final betrayal’
Joe Delaney, a former resident of the Grenfell estate and a core participant in the Grenfell Public Inquiry, believed though that the government hasn’t properly communicated with local residents.
He told City London News that “the government has lied to us, the council has lied to us, and this is the final betrayal.”
Strasz feels that there has been no justice but only “total impunity” following the fire nearly eight years ago.
She says that the demolition will be the “final act of the biggest cover up that we’ve seen in this century in the UK.”
Delaney believes that this has led to the local community feeling both “weary” and “angry”, and that they’ve reached a point where they feel “they have nothing to lose.”
Local residents feel ‘betrayed’ at the decision to demolish Grenfell Tower
‘It should be the people’s choice, not the government’s’
Rather than the government deciding to demolish the Tower, residents such as Leo, a teacher in the local area, feels “it should be the people’s choice as to what should be done with the building.”
Delaney echoed this sentiment, saying that he’d “much rather that the tower be preserved.”
He shared his preference for an “exoskeleton put around it with a garden on each side’, as this “‘would be a fitting reminder for the community.”
Ministers warned of safety risk over remaining tower
In 2019, ministers were warned the structure may be unsafe and advised that it should be dismantled down to the 10th floor.
The leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, says that they will wait for the government’s “formal announcement tomorrow and stand ready to work with the community and support them through whatever comes next.”
