Disaster that ‘failed to bring out best of Britain’

THE OFFICIAL response after the Grenfell Tower fire did not show “the best of our country”, the MP David Lammy said, as he remembered his friend who died in the blaze.

The Labour member for Tottenham reflected on the chaos and turmoil the morning after the fire, and how he comforted his wife and children upon learning that his friend Khadija Saye had died.

Mr Lammy recalled being “really humbled” by the way the British public united to help in the aftermath of the blaze.

Asked if he felt the community had been given enough help over the past 12 months, he said: “I don’t think a year ago we could have envisaged how little support the community would be given by the local authority and the Government, and that’s in their own words.

“That has not been the best of our country. We need a redoubling of effort in the year ahead, it needs to be much, much better; we need to get those people housed, and we need to continue to support those in the north Kensington area that are deeply traumatised.”

He was speaking outside St Helen’s church in north Kensington following yesterday’s memorial service for the victims.

The crowds wore green scarves and carried white roses and photos of their loved ones as they walked in silence to the tower.

As people passed behind, Mr Lammy said: “It’s a peculiar moment in time because the community spirit has not been matched by the local authority and the Government.

“Theresa May has apologised for the response and so she should, but in a sense what people now want is action. They want to see those who have not got homes and are in bed and breakfasts and hotels in a home. And they want also to ensure that there is justice in the year ahead.”

Clarrie Mendy, who organised the service, said she prayed to God that every soul that perished in the blaze would live on “eternally in golden paradise”.