Diane Abbott: Grenfell Tower fire 'direct consequence of deregulation, privatisation and outsourcing'

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Diane Abbott has said the fire at Grenfell Tower was “direct consequence” of “deregulation of fire standards and inspection, privatisation and outsourcing.”

Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Brighton, the Shadow Home Secretary went on to demand justice for the survivors of the disaster.

“We demand an immigration amnesty for former Grenfell residents so they all feel able to come forward for help.

“We demand justice for the Grenfell survivors. They will not be forgotten.”

Ms Abbot added: “Labour in government will recruit 3,000 additional firefighters, and we fully support the campaigning of the Fire Brigades Union against the cuts.”

Her remarks come after police investigating the tragedy said they might press individual manslaughter charges against those responsible for the fire.

Officers said charges relating to fraud, misconduct, breaches of health and safety and fire safety regulations were also a possibility.

At a briefing last week, Detective Chief Superintendent Matt Bonner told reporters: “This isn’t to be taken as indication that there is any evidence we have found that would support these types of offences … We will keep an open mind, gather the material that exists and then make decisions once we have had an opportunity to fully review everything.”

The police are also probing eight cases of fraud involving people who claimed money after the disaster, and four possible thefts from flats on the lower levels of the Tower while it was under 24-hour security, according to a spokesperson.