Grenfell death toll ‘could have been covered up’ to avoid riots, MP suggests
The real number of people killed in the Grenfell Tower fire could have been covered up because of fears of riots, a Labour MP has suggested.
The claim by David Lammy came as residents of the tower block wrote to Theresa May to demand justice and make sure the investigation into the blaze “leave no stone unturned”.
Officials have said at least 79 people are feared to have died in the disaster, though they have warned that the number could go up.
But Mr Lammy, MP for Tottenham, who lost a friend in the disaster, raised fears of a cover-up.
“What people say is that if you put the numbers out early, there could be civil unrest. That’s what they say,” he told BBC2’s Newsnight.
“I am sympathetic to it, I am going to walk alongside those people.”
Asked if he believed the number of dead had not been released due to the potential for civil unrest, he said: “The truth is the media cycle is now beginning to move on to other things, that’s the truth.
“And so what people say is that in two, three weeks’ time, if you start to reveal the numbers, things have moved on.”
Labour MP David Lammy
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David Lammy: ‘This demands a proper criminal investigation’
Mr Lammy said there was a “gap” between what witnesses and residents had said and what the official figures showed.
“In one flat alone, people say there were up to 40 people gathering, because they gathered in the flat, it was Ramadan,” he said.
“When you have tragedies of this kind that could have been prevented, we know from Hillsborough and other affairs in our national life that governments, local authorities, big corporations, companies, the contractors – they cover their backs. That’s why I raised issues around the documentation.”
In the aftermath of the disaster, he called on the Prime Minister and Metropolitan Police to seize all relevant documents.
The Government rejected any suggestions of a cover-up, saying it has nothing to hide.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon told Sky News: “Nobody is hiding anything, but it is very hard, sadly, for the recovery operation when they are dealing with bodies that have been completely destroyed by fire, that may not be complete.
“Secondly, nobody knows exactly how many people were sleeping in that tower that particular night.”
Firefighters rushing to Grenfell Tower get their first sight of the blaze
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There’s kids in there: Firefighters’ first glimpse of Grenfell Tower
He said the Government was keen to publish information as soon as it gets it.
“We want to get this out into the open, find out exactly how it happened, and make sure – above all – that it never ever happens again,” Sir Michael said.
The residents’ group’s open letter to Mrs May and Home Secretary Amber Rudd said they wanted to make sure “justice is served for everyone on the estate”.
“The investigation must leave no stone unturned,” said the letter, written on behalf of the residents of Hurstway, Testerton, Barandon and Grenfell Walks on the Lancaster West estate.
“It must identify each and every individual and organisation who must bear responsibility and accountability for this tragedy and the mishandling of the aftermath.
“There must be swift recommendations to ensure there can be no chance of a repeat of this disaster elsewhere.”
The residents’ group, which is part of the Justice4Grenfell campaign, also lamented what it called “the paucity of support” families received by the state in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.
Firefighters continue to dampen down the tower block following the deadly blaze
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Hundreds of firefighters worked to put out the Grenfell Tower fire
Sky’s senior political correspondent Beth Rigby said the letter reflects “concerns not enough is being done, or not enough information is being shared, or indeed worries that people won’t bear responsibility for this awful tragedy”.
“There is a sense of mistrust between the people and the Government.”
The letter comes a day after inquests into the deaths of four of the fire victims were opened and adjourned at Westminster Coroner’s Court.
It has also been revealed that cladding on 75 tower blocks in 26 local authority areas has failed fire safety tests in the wake of the Grenfell disaster.
Source:sky news.com
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