May ‘should have been’ at fire scene

– British Prime Minister Theresa May faced mounting criticism yesterday for not meeting the survivors of a deadly London tower block blaze, ratcheting up the pressure as she tries to strike a deal to stay in power after a botched election gamble.

May promised to hold a public inquiry into the fire that killed at least 30 people when it engulfed a 24-storey social housing block in West London. She expressed her sorrow in a televised statement after meeting with the emergency services.

But unlike opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn and London mayor Sadiq Khan, May did not meet residents, prompting criticism from locals.

“She wanted an entirely controlled situation in which she didn’t use her humanity,” former Cabinet minister Michael Portillo said. “She should have been there with the residents.”