Yahoo News Theresa May meets grieving Grenfell families and is accused of making things worse
Theresa May has been accused of making things worse for grieving Grenfell families after a private meeting with the Prime Minister.
Relatives of the 71 people killed in the tragic London tower block fire last June claim she worsened their “pain and suffering” during the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, over a key demand on the panel leading the public inquiry.
One even accused the PM of being “on another planet”.
Campaigners have called for a more diverse panel looking into the causes of the fire, saying they lack trust in the probe.
During the meeting Mrs May refused to commit to this demand, according to those present.
The PM said only that she ‘would reflect’ on their request.
Nabil Choucair, who lost six family members in the fire, said Mrs May was on another planet and added the meeting was a ‘total let down’.
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He said she wanted more time before making a decision. ‘What more time do you need?’ he asked
Mohammed Hakim, 32, who lost his parents, and three other family members on the 17th floor of the tower, said: ‘We’re all very angry that 11 months on, it just feels like we’re going round and round in circles looking for answers.
‘We don’t want another Hillsborough situation where we’re waiting for 28 years. I haven’t got 28 years to wait. I might not be here tomorrow.’
He added: ‘I don’t want to be in my grave and still waiting for an answer.’
Parliament will debate the lack of diversity on the inquiry panel on Monday following a petition launched by rap artist Stormzy, which calls on the PM to increase public trust in the inquiry.
The inquiry is being led by retired judge, Sir Martin Moore-Bick.
Some MPs have asked him to stand down claiming his background counts against someone examining the tragedy which had various social and cultural factors.
Grenfell Tower was home to people from a range of different backgrounds.
Critics claim the Cambridge-educated judge may not have the right experience to sit on such an inquiry.
The fire at Grenfell, owned by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, left 71 dead.
Another more than 70 people were injured.
Following the meeting, Mrs May was presented with a print of a painting by artist Damel Carayol, with the caption: ‘Eyesore!! Final Straw’.
He lost family members in the fire, including niece and fellow artist, Khadija Saye.
