London - British Prime Minister Theresa
May's government sought on Saturday to quell anger over a deadly
tower block fire by pledging to support the victims of the blaze
after protesters jeered her when she visited local residents.
May was rushed away from a meeting with residents on Friday
under heavy police guard as protesters shouted "Shame on you"
and hundreds stormed a local town hall calling for justice.
After a botched snap election that lost her party its
majority in parliament, May is facing criticism for her response
to the blaze which engulfed the 24-storey apartment block of
social housing on Wednesday, killing at least 30 people.
Residents of the destroyed tower said May was far too slow
to visit the stricken community, that the building had been
unsafe and that officials have failed to give enough information
and support to those who have lost relatives and their homes.
Asked repeatedly whether she had misread the public mood,
May did not answer directly but said the focus was on providing
support to the victims.
"What I'm now absolutely focused on is ensuring that we get
that support on the ground," May said in a BBC Newsnight
interview.
Floral tributes and messages for the victims of Grenfell Tower are seen in London, Britain. London's Metropolitan Police confirmed that at least 30 people died in this week's fire. Picture: Ray Tang/Xinhua
"Government is making money available, we're ensuring that
we're going to get to the bottom of what's happened, we will
ensure that people are rehoused. But we need to make sure that
that actually happens."
May on Saturday was due to chair a meeting on the
government's response to the fire. The death toll is expected to
rise, as at least 60 people remain unaccounted for.
Alongside both police and fire investigations into the
blaze, she has promised to set up a public inquiry.
She also pledged 5 million pounds ($6.39 million) of
support, housing guarantees and help with access to bank
accounts and cash. Those who lost their homes will be rehoused
within three weeks, she said.
Fire safety specialists inspect the top floor of Grenfell Tower in London. Sources say at least 70 from Grenfell Tower are still missing, including entire families. Picture: Ray Tang/Xinhua
One of her closest allies, Damian Green, defended May on
Saturday, adding that a team would go to the area to answer
questions from residents.
"The Prime Minister is distraught about what has happened,"
said Green, who was appointed May's deputy in the wake of the
general election.
"We're all desperately sad, we're all angry, but of course
none of us as angry as those who were directly affected. I
absolutely get why they're angry," Green said.
Anger in London
While the blaze has prompted an outpouring of generosity,
with many people donating provisions and clothes, it has also
unleashed rage at the authorities as the charred tower was cast
as a deadly symbol of a deeply divided society.
Angry protesters chanting "We want justice" stormed their
way into the Kensington and Chelsea town hall on Friday.
After a turbulent three months which has seen Britain
scarred by three deadly Islamist militant attacks and now the
tower blaze, Queen Elizabeth said the mood was deeply sombre but
that the British people were resolute in the face of adversity.
"It is difficult to escape a very sombre national mood,"
Elizabeth said in a message on her official birthday. "The
country has witnessed a succession of terrible tragedies."
"Put to the test, the United Kingdom has been resolute in
the face of adversity," Elizabeth said. "United in our sadness,
we are equally determined, without fear or favour, to support
all those rebuilding lives so horribly affected by injury and
loss."
Such a direct message from the monarch is rare and indicated
the extent of the turmoil in Britain.
Opponents said May's handling of the fire has thrust her
position further into doubt by showing a failure to feel the
public mood and act decisively.
"Not a viable PM"
After a tumultuous week that pitched Britain into its
deepest political crisis since the Brexit referendum a year ago,
May's future was already uncertain due to her failed gamble on a
snap election.
Britain is now likely to go into arduous talks on Monday
about its exit from the European Union with a weakened leader
who is dependent on a small Northern Irish party.
Matthew Parris, a columnist and former Conservative
lawmaker, said May's response to the fire had shown a lack of
judgment which made her unsuitable to be prime minister.
"Wallowing in the wash of a general election that stripped
our prime minister of her authority on the very eve of EU
negotiations, neither common sense nor the evidence suggest she
can re-establish public confidence," Parris wrote in the Times.
"This prime minister is not viable."