I regret my Grenfell fire response: May

Theresa May yesterday revealed she will “always regret” failing to meet Grenfell Tower survivors on the day after the disaster.In a deeply personal article ahead of the anniversary of the tragedy on Thursday, the prime minister gave an effective apology to residents who escaped the blaze, saying her actions were “not good enough”.Writing in the Evening Standard, May confessed that she contributed, unwittingly, to the feeling among victims that she and others in power “didn’t care” about their plight. “It was a tragedy unparalleled in recent history and, although many people did incredible work during and after the fire, it has long been clear that the initial response was not good enough,” she said. “I include myself in that. The day after the disaster I made the first of a number of trips to the site, thanking the firefighters for their work and holding a short meeting with the team in charge of the response. “What I did not do on that first visit was meet the residents and survivors who had escaped the blaze. But the residents of Grenfell Tower needed to know that those in power recognised and understood their despair. And I will always regret that by not meeting them that day, it seemed as though I didn’t care.”“That was never the case,” added May, who has admitted she shed tears when she met survivors of the fire.The prime minister also revealed that 10 Downing Street will be illuminated in green on Thursday night, along with other major buildings, on the eve of a national “Green for Grenfell Day”.May’s words aim to bring people together for this week’s memorial services for the 72 victims of the disaster. Events close to the scene in north Kensington will include a vigil, prayers, and wreath-laying. The tower, which is being sheathed in white tarpaulin, will be illuminated along with 12 nearby blocks, creating a memorial visible across London.May gave a pledge that everything possible will be done to look after the survivors and other victims — and no stone will be left unturned in the search for why it happened and who was to blame.Her first visit to the scene of the fire was a public relations disaster, despite her swift decision to call a public inquiry. She met police and firefighters dealing with the still-smouldering tower, but was kept away from members of the local community.In her article, May said no decision had yet been taken on what would happen to the tower and the Grenfell site, but it would be led by former residents and the wider local community.