GONE TO GROUND
Council boss flees his home Police probe after threats
THE wealthy Tory councillor who oversaw the Grenfell Tower refurbishment has fled his home after threats from angry residents.
Rock Feilding- Mellen, Cabinet Member for Housing and deputy leader of Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council, moved his family out of his luxury £1.2million three-storey townhouse amid concerns for their safety.
Police have now been called in to investigate the threats and allegations of vandalism at the property.
Mr Feilding-Mellen, 38, was seen leaving his home on Saturday wheeling a suitcase and clutching a large holdall. He drove away in a Mercedes estate car after loading them into the boot.
During the refurbishment of the 24-storey council block, the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation reported directly to him, it is understood.
His involvement in the project has made him a target for locals’ outrage since the tragedy 11 days ago, feared to have claimed the lives of 79 people. However the redevelopment was actually initiated by his predecessor.
Yesterday a council spokesman said: “Following threats and vandalism outside his house, which has been reported to the police, he had to relocate his family – at his own expense – during the course of last weekend.
“He remained on duty and was working throughout.”
The councillor, who was first elected in 2006, bought his property close to Grenfell Tower in 2010 for £750,000.
A police spokesman said: “Police were alerted on Saturday, 17 June, to reports of posters with allegedly abusive content displayed outside a residential address in the borough of Kensington.
“Officers who subsequently attended the scene did not find any evidence of posters at the scene, or any evidence of criminal damage at the property.
“Officers were subsequently sent photographs of the alleged posters. The individual property owner concerned was given advice by police. Enquiries continue.”
In the days following the devastating blaze Mr Feilding-Mellen said: “There will obviously have to be important questions and we understand the anger.”
Council chief executive Nicholas Holgate was forced to quit on Thursday over the bungled handling of the crisis.
On the Friday after the blaze, Mr Feilding-Mellen had been expected to attend the 30th birthday of his stepsister Mary Charteris at Stanway House in Gloucestershire, home of his stepfather James Charteris, the Earl of Wemyss and March. But he apparently told friends he felt it would be inappropriate to attend the bash with the boho set, including Cara Delevingne and Jaime Winstone, on the 5,000-acre estate. Accusations levelled at the council continue, including a theory that they put the appearance over fire safety to appease locals. An online profile on the council’s website quotes Mr Feilding-Mellen listing “attractiveness” before “safety” in his priorities for housing. Yesterday it emerged The Grenfell Action Group aired concerns over the fire safety of the building at the beginning of last year during the redevelopment works. Residents were worried there was only one entry and exit during the works and warned residents would be trapped inside if a fire broke out. It is understood officials took action over their concerns. A council spokesman added yesterday: “The decision to refurbish Grenfell Tower was taken before Cllr Feilding-Mellen was Cabinet Member for Housing.”