The Scotsman

Fire opportunis­ts

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Since 2004, TV presenter Nick Ross has been lobbying unsuccessf­ully to have sprinkler systems installed as a fire precaution in high and low rise blocks. Such sprinkler systems may have saved some or all the lives that were lost in Grenfell Tower.

He has spoken to ministers from Labour, Coalition and Conservati­ve Government­s, including the current Labour London mayor Sadiq Kahn in his previous role as a housing minister. He did not manage to get any of them to bend on this issue. Mr Ross himself does not blame ministers from any party as they were all acting on advice when refusing to fit sprinkler systems.

If those in authority have been negligent or worse then they have to be held to account.

However, to leap to conclusion­s in order to make party advantage, as many on the Left are doing, before we even know how many lost their lives, is shameless political opportunis­m.

KEITH SHORTREED

Cottown of Gight Methlick, Aberdeensh­ire

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