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Grenfell Tower fire: Theresa May did not speak to us, angry resident tells Jeremy Corbyn

Prime Minister carried out private visit to scene of tragedy but did not meet any survivors

Lucy Pasha-Robinson
Thursday 15 June 2017 10:47 EDT
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The Prime Minister visited the scene of the tower block destroyed in the fire disaster in north Kensington
The Prime Minister visited the scene of the tower block destroyed in the fire disaster in north Kensington (Reuters)

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Theresa May has visited the scene of the Grenfell Tower blaze where at least 17 people died.

The Prime Minister carried out a private visit of the scene and spoke with emergency service crews but reportedly refused to meet any survivors of the tragedy and blocked media access.

The decision was taken due to "security reasons", it was claimed, but local residents were furious that she did not stop to listen to their concerns.

Grenfell Tower fire: How the community responded

One Grenfell Tower resident reportedly told Jeremy Corbyn, who also visited the scene, Ms May was "s***", adding: "Theresa May was here but she didn't speak to any of us."

The Labour leader spoke with volunteers and members of the local community during a visit to St Clements Church, which is being used as a refuge centre.

Mr Corbyn promised "the truth has got to come out and it will" during the visit.

Dozens of people are still missing after the 24-storey block went up in flames on Wednesday, with the death toll expected to increase as the recovery operation proceeds.

Many were outraged Ms May chose not to speak to survivors of the tragedy, which left residents with nothing.

Ms May announced a full enquiry would take place into what caused the inferno that ravaged the building of 120 flats.

She vowed to make every effort to ensure people left homeless by the tragedy were rehoused nearby following the visit.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a local resident at St Clement's Church in west London (Getty Images)
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a local resident at St Clement's Church in west London (Getty Images) (Getty)

“I want to reassure the residents of Grenfell Tower - all of whom are in our thoughts and prayers - that the Government will make every effort to make sure that they are rehoused in London and as close as possible to home,” she said.

A Downing Street spokesperson refused to comment on why Ms May did not meet with residents.

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