Grenfell fire survivors call councillors ‘murderers’

‘Committed a crime’

ANGRY survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy branded council leaders ‘murderers’ yesterday over a catalogue of safety failures at the tower block.

Relatives of those killed berated councillors at the first full meeting since the fire, calling them killers and demanding mass resignations.

Survivor Sajad Jamalvatan, 22, told the Kensington and Chelsea council meeting: ‘You killed us, you helped the fire.’

Another Grenfell resident, Mahad Egal, said: ‘You have murdered us. There is manslaughter here... You have committed a crime against all of us here.’ Survivors packed the tense meeting and accused councillors of a series of safety failures, including approving plans to install flammable cladding on the outside of the high-rise tower.

Residents’ groups warned the council of the potential fire risks but said they had been ignored. At least 81 people are believed to have died in the fire five weeks ago although only 39 have been formally identified so far.

The former head of the Conservative-controlled council resigned after the blaze and his successor, Elizabeth Campbell, was formally elected last night.

Mrs Campbell was booed at the meeting, but said: ‘We did not cope well enough in our initial response to this tragedy.’