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ITV News
15-06-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Shouts for justice at Grenfell anniversary march before tower demolition begins
Grenfell bereaved and survivors shouted for justice in what is likely to be the final anniversary in the shadow of the tower as it stands, ahead of work to begin its demolition. The Government announced earlier this year that the remains of the building will be brought down. It is thought the earliest that demolition will start is September and the process is expected to take around two years. Hundreds walked in silence through west London on Saturday evening before hearing the names of the 72 dead and speeches by campaigners, as the tower overlooked them. Vice chairman of Grenfell United, Karim Mussilhy, who lost his uncle in the blaze, told the crowd: 'Eight years have passed, eight years since the fire – lit by negligence, greed and institutional failure – tore through our homes, our families and our hearts. 'And still no justice has come. The truth is, there's almost nothing new to say because nothing has changed. 'As we stand here eight years on, the only decision this Government has made is to tear down the tower – our home.' The crowd shouted 'shame' and Mr Mussilhy continued: 'Not because justice has been delivered, but despite the fact it hasn't – before a single person has been held accountable, to make what happened disappear. 'The tower has stood not just as a reminder of what happened, but of what must change – a symbol and a truth in the face of denial, of dignity in the face of power, of our resistance, of our 72 loved ones who can't fight for their own justice. 'And now they want it gone, out of sight out of mind, a clear skyline and a forgotten scandal.' The crowd faced the tower and chanted: 'Justice, justice.' At the close of the speeches people filed in through the gates, which are rarely opened, and paid their respects at the base of the tower. Attendees held each other and children wrote tributes on electric candles that were left on a podium between the flowers. What remains of the tower has stood in place in the years since the disaster, with a covering on the building featuring a large green heart accompanied by the words 'forever in our hearts'. The final Grenfell Tower Inquiry report, published in September, concluded victims, bereaved and survivors were 'badly failed' through incompetence, dishonesty and greed. The tower block was covered in combustible products because of the 'systematic dishonesty' of firms who made and sold the cladding and insulation, inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick said. News of the Government's demolition decision earlier this year was met with criticism from some bereaved and survivors of the 2017 fire who expressed their upset and shock, saying they felt they had not had their views considered before the decision was taken. Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner later said in an interview that she knew the meeting with those most closely affected was going to be 'really difficult' and that there was 'not a consensus' among everyone over what should happen to the tower. On Saturday, placards read 'this much evidence still no charges' and 'Tories have blood on their hands. Justice for Grenfell'. Large green papier-mache hearts were held aloft, with words including 'hope', 'integrity', 'enough is enough' and 'justice' written across. Around a dozen fire fighters stood to attention on each side of the road outside Ladbroke Grove station, facing the passing crowd with their helmets at their feet. Some members of the Grenfell community walked up to hug them and shake hands. After an hour of walking in silence the crowd gathered for the speeches outside Notting Hill Methodist Church. The Government confirmed in February that engineering advice is that the tower 'is significantly damaged' and will get worse with time. Separately, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been consulting on plans for a permanent memorial in the area of the tower, with recommendations including a 'sacred space', designed to be a 'peaceful place for remembering and reflecting'. It is expected a planning application for a memorial could be submitted in late 2026. According to the Government's latest figures, published last month, there were 5,052 residential buildings in England which are 11 metres or taller identified as having unsafe cladding as of the end of April. Fewer than half – 2,477 buildings or 49% – had either started or completed remediation works, with just a third – 1,652 buildings or 33% – having had remediation works finished. Labour unveiled its remediation acceleration plan last year, pledging that, by the end of 2029, all buildings more than 59ft (18 metres) tall with unsafe cladding that are on a Government scheme will have been remediated.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Call for justice eight years on from Grenfell fire
Survivors and bereaved relatives of the Grenfell Tower blaze have demanded justice following the eighth anniversary of the 2017 tragedy. The blaze left 72 people dead, including 18 children, and is still being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. In a few months' time, work will begin to take down the 23-storey block. Hundreds walked in silence through west London on Saturday evening before hearing the names of the dead and speeches by campaigners, as the tower loomed over them. Memorial service held for Grenfell fire victims Grenfell memories: 'I woke up to my mum screaming' Final Grenfell anniversary before tower comes down London monuments were lit up including the BT Tower and London Eye and the Crystal Palace transmitting station. In Greater Manchester Salford Civic Centre was lit green. There are concerns no-one has yet been prosecuted. Grenfell United vice chairman, Karim Mussilhy, lost his uncle in the inferno. He told the crowd: "Eight years have passed, eight years since the fire - lit by negligence, greed and institutional failure - tore through our homes, our families and our hearts. "And still no justice has come. The truth is, there's almost nothing new to say because nothing has changed. "As we stand here eight years on, the only decision this government has made is to tear down the tower - our home." He branded the disaster a "forgotten scandal". "The tower has stood not just as a reminder of what happened, but of what must change - a symbol and a truth in the face of denial, of dignity in the face of power, of our resistance, of our 72 loved ones who can't fight for their own justice. "And now they want it gone, out of sight out of mind, a clear skyline and a forgotten scandal." There were cries of "shame" and "justice" from the crowd. The final Grenfell Tower Inquiry report, published in September, concluded victims, bereaved and survivors were "badly failed" through incompetence, dishonesty and greed. On Sunday Kensington and Bayswater MP, Joe Powell, told the BBC's Inspirit with Jumoké Fashola: "The one thing I think everybody would agree on is that there should be criminal accountability. "And of course we can't pre-judge how far up the food chain it will go, in terms of companies that were found culpable in the inquiry report, but that is the expectation." Leader of Kensington and Chelsea council Labour group, Kasim Ali, said he lived 500 metres (about 1,600ft) from the tower and saw "horrifying" things. He said: "My fear is that people's lives have been taken for granted and no-one cared about, let's say, communities who lived in a council-owned property, who lived in social housing. "There is stigma around it and I think they have been ignored." He said he wanted the legacy of Grenfell to be housing fit for human habitation, adding: "What we are seeking... is justice. Who is responsible for what happened to 72 members of our community that we have lost?" News of the government's demolition decision this year was met with criticism from some bereaved and survivors of the 2017 fire who expressed upset and shock, saying they felt they had not had their views considered before the decision was taken. Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner, later said she knew meeting those most closely affected was going to be "really difficult" and that there was "not a consensus" among everyone over what should happen to the tower. On Saturday, placards read, "This much evidence still no charges" and "Tories have blood on their hands. Justice for Grenfell". Large green papier-mache hearts were held aloft, had words including "hope", "integrity", "enough is enough" and "justice" written on them. Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been consulting on plans for a permanent memorial of the tower, with recommendations including a "sacred space", designed to be a "peaceful place for remembering and reflecting". It is expected a planning application for it could be submitted in late 2026. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to 'Keep Grenfell in your hearts during carnival' Grenfell testimony week: From unheard to heard Grenfell community unified in steps toward justice
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Community calls for justice eight years on from Grenfell fire
Survivors and bereaved relatives of the Grenfell Tower blaze have demanded justice following the eighth anniversary of the 2017 tragedy. The blaze left 72 people dead, including 18 children, and is still being investigated by the Metropolitan a few months' time, work will begin to take down the 23-storey walked in silence through west London on Saturday evening before hearing the names of the dead and speeches by campaigners, as the tower loomed over them. London monuments were lit up including the BT Tower and London Eye and the Crystal Palace transmitting station. In Greater Manchester Salford Civic Centre was lit are concerns no-one has yet been prosecuted. Grenfell United vice chairman, Karim Mussilhy, lost his uncle in the inferno. He told the crowd: "Eight years have passed, eight years since the fire - lit by negligence, greed and institutional failure - tore through our homes, our families and our hearts."And still no justice has come. The truth is, there's almost nothing new to say because nothing has changed."As we stand here eight years on, the only decision this government has made is to tear down the tower - our home."He branded the disaster a "forgotten scandal". "The tower has stood not just as a reminder of what happened, but of what must change - a symbol and a truth in the face of denial, of dignity in the face of power, of our resistance, of our 72 loved ones who can't fight for their own justice."And now they want it gone, out of sight out of mind, a clear skyline and a forgotten scandal."There were cries of "shame" and "justice" from the final Grenfell Tower Inquiry report, published in September, concluded victims, bereaved and survivors were "badly failed" through incompetence, dishonesty and Sunday Kensington and Bayswater MP, Joe Powell, told the BBC's Inspirit with Jumoké Fashola: "The one thing I think everybody would agree on is that there should be criminal accountability. "And of course we can't pre-judge how far up the food chain it will go, in terms of companies that were found culpable in the inquiry report, but that is the expectation."Leader of Kensington and Chelsea council Labour group, Kasim Ali, said he lived 500 metres (about 1,600ft) from the tower and saw "horrifying" things. He said: "My fear is that people's lives have been taken for granted and no-one cared about, let's say, communities who lived in a council-owned property, who lived in social housing. "There is stigma around it and I think they have been ignored."He said he wanted the legacy of Grenfell to be housing fit for human habitation, adding: "What we are seeking... is justice. Who is responsible for what happened to 72 members of our community that we have lost?" News of the government's demolition decision this year was met with criticism from some bereaved and survivors of the 2017 fire who expressed upset and shock, saying they felt they had not had their views considered before the decision was Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner, later said she knew meeting those most closely affected was going to be "really difficult" and that there was "not a consensus" among everyone over what should happen to the Saturday, placards read, "This much evidence still no charges" and "Tories have blood on their hands. Justice for Grenfell".Large green papier-mache hearts were held aloft, had words including "hope", "integrity", "enough is enough" and "justice" written on Tower Memorial Commission has been consulting on plans for a permanent memorial of the tower, with recommendations including a "sacred space", designed to be a "peaceful place for remembering and reflecting".It is expected a planning application for it could be submitted in late 2026.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Bereaved and survivors call for justice on eighth anniversary of devastating Grenfell fire that killed 72 people ahead of tower block being pulled down
Grenfell bereaved and survivors shouted for justice in what is likely to be the final anniversary in the shadow of the tower before it is pulled down. The Government announced earlier this year that the remains of the 23-storey building will be demolished. It is thought the earliest that process will start is September and it is expected to take around two years. The Met Police investigation into what led to the 'avoidable' tragedy in 2017 which claimed the lives of 72 people – 18 of whom were children - remains ongoing. Many families and survivors believe the tower should not be removed until there are criminal prosecutions, although some local residents say they find it difficult to see every day. Hundreds walked in silence through west London on Saturday evening before hearing the names of the dead and speeches by campaigners, as the tower overlooked them. Vice chairman of Grenfell United, Karim Mussilhy, who lost his uncle in the blaze, told the crowd: 'Eight years have passed, eight years since the fire - lit by negligence, greed and institutional failure - tore through our homes, our families and our hearts. 'And still no justice has come. The truth is, there's almost nothing new to say because nothing has changed. 'As we stand here eight years on, the only decision this Government has made is to tear down the tower - our home.' The crowd shouted 'shame' and Mr Mussilhy continued: 'Not because justice has been delivered, but despite the fact it hasn't - before a single person has been held accountable, to make what happened disappear. 'The tower has stood not just as a reminder of what happened, but of what must change - a symbol and a truth in the face of denial, of dignity in the face of power, of our resistance, of our 72 loved ones who can't fight for their own justice. 'And now they want it gone, out of sight out of mind, a clear skyline and a forgotten scandal.' The crowd faced the tower and chanted: 'Justice, justice.' At the close of the speeches people filed in through the gates, which are rarely opened, and paid their respects at the base of the tower. Attendees held each other and children wrote tributes on electric candles that were left on a podium between the flowers. What remains of the tower has stood in place in the years since the disaster, with a covering on the building featuring a large green heart accompanied by the words 'forever in our hearts'. Grenfell survivors and their supporters take part in the annual silent walk on June 14, 2025 The 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 are pictured as follows - (top row left to right) Mohammad Al-Haj Ali, Ya-Haddy Sisi Saye, also known as Khadija Saye, Anthony Disson, Khadija Khalloufi, Mary Mendy, Isaac Paulos, Sheila, Gloria Trevisan, Marco Gottardi, (second row left to right) Berkti Haftom, Ali Yarwar Jafari, Majorie Vital, Yahya Hashim, Hamid Kani, Jessica Urbano Ramirez, Zainab Deen, Nura Jemal, Jeremiah Deen, (third row left to right) Yasin El-Wahabi, Firdaws Hashim, Hashim Kedir, Debbie Lamprell, Ernie Vital, Sakina Afrasehabi, Denis Mur-phy, Raymond 'Moses' Bernard, Biruk Haftom, (fouth row left to right) Yaqub Hashim, Mehdi El-Wahabi, Ligaya Moore, Nur Huda El-Wahabi, Victoria King, Mo-hammed Amied Neda, Maria del Pilar Burton, Hesham Rahman, Gary Maunders, (fifth row left to right) Alexandra Atala, Vincent Chiejina, Steve Power, Rania Ibrahim, Fethia Hassan, Hania Hassan, Fathia Ahmed Elsanousi, Abufras Ibrahim (silhouette), Isra Ibrahim (silhouette), (sixth row left to right) Mariem Elgwahry, Eslah Elgwahry (sil-houette), Mohamednur Tuccu, Amal Ahmedin, Amaya Tuccu-Ahmedin, Amna Mahmud Idris, Abdeslam Sebbar (silhouette) , Joseph Daniels (silhouette), Logan Gomes, (seventh row left to right) Omar Belkadi, Farah Hamdan, Malak Belkadi (sil-houette), Leena Belkadi (silhouette), Abdulaziz El-Wahabi, Faouzia El-Wahabi, Fatemeh Afrasiabi, Kamru Miah, Rabeya Begum, (eighth row left to right) Mohammed Hamid, Mohammed Hanif, Husna Begum, Bassem Choukair, Nadia Choucair, Mierna Choucair, Fatima Choucair, Zainab Choucair and Sirria Choucair Some campaigners pose for a selfie during the silent march on Saturday The final Grenfell Tower Inquiry report, published in September, concluded victims, bereaved and survivors were 'badly failed' through incompetence, dishonesty and greed. The tower block was covered in combustible products because of the 'systematic dishonesty' of firms who made and sold the cladding and insulation, inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick said. It was Britain's worst residential fire since World War II. News of the Government's demolition decision earlier this year was met with criticism from some bereaved and survivors of the 2017 fire who expressed their upset and shock, saying they felt they had not had their views considered before the decision was taken. Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner later said in an interview that she knew the meeting with those most closely affected was going to be 'really difficult' and that there was 'not a consensus' among everyone over what should happen to the tower. On Saturday, placards read 'this much evidence still no charges' and 'Tories have blood on their hands. Justice for Grenfell'. Large green papier-mache hearts were held aloft, with words including 'hope', 'integrity', 'enough is enough' and 'justice' written across. Around a dozen fire fighters stood to attention on each side of the road outside Ladbroke Grove station, facing the passing crowd with their helmets at their feet. Some members of the Grenfell community walked up to hug them and shake hands. After an hour of walking in silence the crowd gathered for the speeches outside Notting Hill Methodist Church. The Government confirmed in February that engineering advice is that the tower 'is significantly damaged' and will get worse with time. Separately, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been consulting on plans for a permanent memorial in the area of the tower, with recommendations including a 'sacred space', designed to be a 'peaceful place for remembering and reflecting'. It is expected a planning application for a memorial could be submitted in late 2026. According to the Government's latest figures, published last month, there were 5,052 residential buildings in England which are 11 metres or taller identified as having unsafe cladding as of the end of April. Fewer than half - 2,477 buildings or 49 per cent - had either started or completed remediation works, with just a third - 1,652 buildings or 33 per cent - having had remediation works finished. Labour unveiled its remediation acceleration plan last year, pledging that, by the end of 2029, all buildings more than 59ft (18 metres) tall with unsafe cladding that are on a Government scheme will have been remediated. Grenfell Tower was originally built with reinforced concrete in 1974. The refurbishment with external flammable cladding and insulation that caused the disaster was completed just a year before the fire. A structural engineer's report from December 2024 said the tower was 'stable' but it concluded the 'underlying structure will worsen over time' due to fire damage. Engineers advised it would 'not be practical to remediate all or part of the damaged structure', especially above the 10th floor.
Powys County Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Shouts for justice at Grenfell anniversary march before tower demolition begins
Grenfell bereaved and survivors shouted for justice in what is likely to be the final anniversary in the shadow of the tower as it stands, ahead of work to begin its demolition. The Government announced earlier this year that the remains of the building will be brought down. It is thought the earliest that demolition will start is September and the process is expected to take around two years. Hundreds walked in silence through west London on Saturday evening before hearing the names of the 72 dead and speeches by campaigners, as the tower overlooked them. Vice chairman of Grenfell United, Karim Mussilhy, who lost his uncle in the blaze, told the crowd: 'Eight years have passed, eight years since the fire – lit by negligence, greed and institutional failure – tore through our homes, our families and our hearts. 'And still no justice has come. The truth is, there's almost nothing new to say because nothing has changed. 'As we stand here eight years on, the only decision this Government has made is to tear down the tower – our home.' The crowd shouted 'shame' and Mr Mussilhy continued: 'Not because justice has been delivered, but despite the fact it hasn't – before a single person has been held accountable, to make what happened disappear. 'The tower has stood not just as a reminder of what happened, but of what must change – a symbol and a truth in the face of denial, of dignity in the face of power, of our resistance, of our 72 loved ones who can't fight for their own justice. 'And now they want it gone, out of sight out of mind, a clear skyline and a forgotten scandal.' The crowd faced the tower and chanted: 'Justice, justice.' At the close of the speeches people filed in through the gates, which are rarely opened, and paid their respects at the base of the tower. Attendees held each other and children wrote tributes on electric candles that were left on a podium between the flowers. What remains of the tower has stood in place in the years since the disaster, with a covering on the building featuring a large green heart accompanied by the words 'forever in our hearts'. The final Grenfell Tower Inquiry report, published in September, concluded victims, bereaved and survivors were 'badly failed' through incompetence, dishonesty and greed. The tower block was covered in combustible products because of the 'systematic dishonesty' of firms who made and sold the cladding and insulation, inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick said. News of the Government's demolition decision earlier this year was met with criticism from some bereaved and survivors of the 2017 fire who expressed their upset and shock, saying they felt they had not had their views considered before the decision was taken. Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner later said in an interview that she knew the meeting with those most closely affected was going to be 'really difficult' and that there was 'not a consensus' among everyone over what should happen to the tower. On Saturday, placards read 'this much evidence still no charges' and 'Tories have blood on their hands. Justice for Grenfell'. Large green papier-mache hearts were held aloft, with words including 'hope', 'integrity', 'enough is enough' and 'justice' written across. Around a dozen fire fighters stood to attention on each side of the road outside Ladbroke Grove station, facing the passing crowd with their helmets at their feet. Some members of the Grenfell community walked up to hug them and shake hands. After an hour of walking in silence the crowd gathered for the speeches outside Notting Hill Methodist Church. The Government confirmed in February that engineering advice is that the tower 'is significantly damaged' and will get worse with time. Separately, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been consulting on plans for a permanent memorial in the area of the tower, with recommendations including a 'sacred space', designed to be a 'peaceful place for remembering and reflecting'. It is expected a planning application for a memorial could be submitted in late 2026. According to the Government's latest figures, published last month, there were 5,052 residential buildings in England which are 11 metres or taller identified as having unsafe cladding as of the end of April. Fewer than half – 2,477 buildings or 49% – had either started or completed remediation works, with just a third – 1,652 buildings or 33% – having had remediation works finished. Labour unveiled its remediation acceleration plan last year, pledging that, by the end of 2029, all buildings more than 59ft (18 metres) tall with unsafe cladding that are on a Government scheme will have been remediated.
