May tries to weather the Stormzy criticism
THERESA May yesterday claimed she was “absolutely committed” to supporting Grenfell Tower survivors after double Brit winner Stormzy branded her a “criminal’ over the tragedy.
The 24-year-old grime star asked the PM, “Where’s the money for Grenfell?” during his emotional performance which closed the ceremony at London’s O2 Arena.
In his rap, he said: “Theresa May, where’s the money for Grenfell?
“What, you thought we just forgot about Grenfell? You criminals, and you’ve got the cheek to call us savages, you should do some jail time, you should pay some damages, you should burn your house down and see if you can manage this.”
Quizzed about his outburst, Downing Street said £58.9million had been allocated for dealing with the disaster’s aftermath.
May’s spokesman added: “The PM has been very clear that Grenfell was an unimaginable tragedy that should never have happened and should never be allowed to happen again.
“She’s determined that the public inquiry will discover not just what went wrong but why the voices of the people of Grenfell had been ignored over so many years.”
Downing Street were unable to say whether May had heard of Stormzy until the Brits but it is not thought she watched the show. “She was working in No10,” her spokesman said.
Labour MPs praised Londoner Stormzy for taking a stand.
Tottenham MP David Lammy said: “Respect @Stormzy1 speaking truth to power. #BRITs2018.”
Kensington MP Emma Dent Coad added: “We will never stop fighting for justice. No justice, no peace.”
Stormzy, who took home the Brits for best British male solo artist and best album, was also hailed by fans watching the show on TV.
One said: “Stormzy using his platform for good, making sure that hundreds of families from Grenfell continue to be remembered.”