Mayor: Disaster was a ‘preventable accident’

THE GRENFELL Tower disaster was a “preventable accident” following “years of neglect” by successive governments, London Mayor Sadiq Khan claimed as the Government announced financial support for the victims.

Mr Khan said the local community was frustrated and angry, after he attended a church service near the tower block in west London yesterday.

Speaking outside St Clement’s Church, Mr Khan said: “There is a feeling from the community that they have been treated badly because some of them are poor. The tragedy we’re seeing is because of the consequences of mistakes and neglect from politicians, from the council and from the Government.”

Last Wednesday ‘s fire left at least 58 people feared dead, with the death toll was likely to rise.

Prime Minister Theresa May also levelled criticism at the council, saying the response has been inadequate, but Kensington and Chelsea leader Nick PagetBrown insisted officials were on the ground “very soon” after the fire broke out.

Mrs May later announced that victims who have been left homeless will be given at least £5,500 from an emergency fund. Residents will be given £500 in cash followed by a bank payment for the rest from today.

The Prime Minister insisted that the Government was doing everything possible to help.

PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES. IN MEMORY: A girl lights a candle at a wall of tributes outside Notting Hill Methodist Church, west London, in memory of the victims of the Grenfell Tower block fire.