Backlash at MP exodus before Keir Starmer made Grenfell statement as victims’ families claim Commons was ‘half-empty’ because politicians ‘don’t care’ _ Hieuuk
Bereaved relatives have voiced anger at an exodus from the Commons before Keir Starmer‘s Grenfell statement.
The PM offered a heartfelt apology yesterday for failings by the state following a damning report from the independent inquiry.
But there was a backlash at footage of politicians leaving the chamber between the end of PMQs and Sir Keir beginning to speak about the 2017 tragedy.
Campaign group Grenfell United said: ‘It comes as no surprise that the House emptied just hours after the judge announced the publication of the phase 2 report.
‘It shows how many of those within the political elite are a part of the disregard, indifference and incompetence that contributed to the deaths of our 72.’
Vice-chair of the group Karim Mussilhy, whose uncle died in the fire, told the BBC‘s Newsnight programme: ‘The PM is about to make a statement, you just see a flourish of bodies ion Parliament run – heading out, they just leave.
There was a backlash at footage of MPs leaving the chamber between the end of PMQs and Sir Keir beginning to speak about the 2017 tragedy yesterday
The PM offered a heartfelt apology yesterday for failings by the state following a damning report from the independent inquiry
Families of Grenfell victims pay their respects at a press conference after the release of the report yesterday
‘That room was more than half empty. This is the culture we’re talking about. How are we supposed to get justice when they don’t even care.’
However, Downing Street played down the criticism of MPs.
The PM’s spokesman said: ‘You saw the strength of feeling from the PM and the government.
‘The fact is that we will never forget the 72 lives lost at Grenfell … the thoughts of all of Parliament were with the victims and their families.’
Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s report said there was ‘no evidence’ that decisions about the tower’s refurbishment, which resulted in the flammable cladding being used, were ‘affected by racial or social prejudice’.
But it noted that in the aftermath of the blaze which killed 72 people ‘certain aspects of the response demonstrated a marked lack of respect for human decency and dignity’ and Kensington and Chelsea Council ‘should have done more to cater for those from diverse backgrounds’.
In his statement, Sir Keir said the Grenfell Tower disaster raises ‘fundamental questions’ about the way working class communities and people of colour are treated in the UK.
The PM said tenants of the high-rise block were treated as ‘second class citizens’ and the publication of the report should force people to reflect on the state of social justice in the country.
Campaign group Grenfell United said there was ‘indifference’ within the political elite
Sir Keir said the report should be ‘a moment to reflect on the state of social justice in our country’.
He added: ‘Because this tragedy poses fundamental questions about the kind of country we are.
‘A country where the voices of working class people and those of colour have been repeatedly ignored and dismissed.
‘A country where tenants of a social housing block in one of the richest parts of the land are treated like second class citizens.
‘Shamefully dismissed – in the words of one survivor – as people with needs and problems.
‘Not respected as citizens, as people who contribute to Britain, who are part of Britain, who belong in Britain.’
