The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Grief and despair turns to anger
Protesters demand answers as they march on Whitehall, storm offices of local council and vent fury at Prime Minister
Grief over the Grenfell Tower disaster turned into angry protests as the official death toll rose to at least 30 and dozens more deaths were feared.
Prime Minister Theresa May faced cries of “coward” and “shame on you” as she returned to the site of the devastating fire in west London after being criticised for not meeting victims in the wake of the tragedy.
Demonstrators stormed the offices of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) over its handling of the crisis amid concerns that earlier renovation work was linked to the dramatic spread of the blaze.
Hundreds of protesters also marched on Whitehall to voice their frustration at the Government’s response to the fire, which ripped through the tower block in north Kensington on Wednesday morning.
The crowd later began marching towards Kensington High Street, chanting “no justice, no peace”.
“We are here today because you must look at that building with tears streaming down your face,” one woman said as they neared the foot of the tower.
“We need answers and we need answers now,” another man said through a megaphone.
“This should not be happening in the United Kingdom, this should never happen.”
Downing Street announced a £5 million fund for emergency supplies, food and clothing for victims amid fears the death toll will rise, with more than 70 people in total still believed to be unaccounted for.
There was a large police presence as Mrs May met a group of victims, residents, volunteers and community leaders at St Clement’s Church close to the scene of the horrific blaze on Friday afternoon.
She declined to speak to anyone outside the meeting, where an angry crowd had gathered and police broke up a scuffle among the group as Mrs May’s car drove off.
The PM had earlier visited Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to meet staff and patients who were caught up in the fire.
After her visit, Mrs May said: “Everyone affected by this tragedy needs reassurance that the Government is there for them at this terrible time – and that is what I am determined to provide.”
The Queen and Duke of Cambridge went to temporary relief centres where they met volunteers and residents who had lost everything.
Confirming the latest death toll, Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy said the tower remained “in a very hazardous state” but there was “nothing to suggest at this time that the fire was started deliberately”.
Mr Cundy vowed police “will get to the answer of what has happened and why”, adding: “If criminal offences have been committed it is us who will investigate that.”
A total of 24 people are being treated in hospital, including 12 in critical care, he added.
RBKC said 110 households had been given temporary accommodation by Friday morning and added it was working to find more permanent homes.
It came as a second victim of the disaster was named as 24-year-old artist Khadija Saye.
Ms Saye was in her flat on the 20th floor when the fire struck, with her mother Mary Mendy, who is thought to be in her fifties.
Syrian refugee Mohammed Alhajali, 23, was also killed in the fire.
You must look at that building with tears streaming down your face