Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FLAMES OF HATE
Mob jeers as they burn effigy of tragic tower
SICK bonfire revellers have sparked fury by burning a model of Grenfell Tower.
The jeering mob even drew pictures of victims trapped in the inferno and yelled: “Bye bye.” A campaigner said: “This is a hate crime.”
AN effigy of Grenfell Tower with images of trapped residents sits on the flames of a burning bin in one of the most sickening online stunts ever by vile revellers.
The group of men and women can be heard laughing and mocking victims of the inferno which killed 72 people, including 18 children in the block.
Victims last night urged police to trace the warped figures behind the shocking footage after it was widely shared on social media. Scotland Yard vowed to investigate.
A cross of St George can be seen fluttering in the garden as the group dish out their disgusting taunts.
Grenfell United’s Khadijah Mamudu said: “It’s disgusting. We hope police are taking this seriously.
“It’s hateful and offensive to everyone that has been affected by the tragic events of that night.”
The Justice for Grenfell campaign group added: “This is clearly a hate crime.” Khadijah Mamudu, whose mum and brother escaped the June 2017 fire, branded those behind the stunt “flag-waving, intellectually challenged, brainwashed sheep”.
The Grenfell Muslim Response Unit’s Omar Salha said: “This is one of the most distasteful, disgusting and abhorrent images I’ve seen.”
Politicians, including Theresa May, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Sajid Javid, joined in the condemnation. Mr Javid said: “These people are a disgrace.”
As the effigy goes up in flames, one of the jeering idiots shouts: “That little ninja’s getting it now.” It appears to refer to a Muslim woman in a burka drawn on the model.
A woman lifting the cardboard block on to the flames is heard saying: “Bye everyone. Bye.” And a voice mocks the helpless residents who could not be saved in the West London fire, shouting: “Help me.”
Met commander Stuart Cundy said: “Any offences that have been committed will be fully investigated.”