'We want justice!': London Grenfell Tower block fire protesters storm town hall
Dozens of people attending an angry protest for victims of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy stormed the town hall in London's richest borough on Friday, accusing the authorities of ignoring their plight.
"We want justice!", "Shame on you!", and "Killers!", the protesters shouted as they scuffled with security guards in the lobby of the building.
Some later left the red-brick building near Kensington High Street, a luxury shopping district, but around 30 remained inside during a tense standoff with about 30 police officers and a dozen security guards.
Hundreds of people, including singer and human rights campaigner Lily Allen, were protesting outside the town hall of Kensington and Chelsea, holding up cardboard signs reading "Justice for Grenfell".
One protester held up a "Wanted" poster for the head of the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation, which administers Grenfell Tower, accusing him of "corporate manslaughter".
The tower is in a working-class enclave near the multimillion-pound homes of Kensington.
"It is criminal to wrap homes in flammable plastic," read another sign after it emerged that cladding installed on the exterior walls of the tower as part of refurbishment was officially graded as not fire-resistant.
Residents had long complained about fire safety risks at Grenfell Tower during a refurbishment project completed last year, but said their concerns went unheeded.
"We are in the richest borough in the UK and in this very borough we have a building where some of the poorest live and the safety measures are totally inadequate," said Mustafa Al Mansur, one of the organisers of the demonstration.
"We need to know what commitment the council is taking to ensure this tragedy is not repeated," he said. "We need to know exactly the number of people who were there during this tragedy."
Police have said 30 people are confirmed dead after the blaze, while media reports have said more than 70 are still unaccounted for.
Local residents have accused police of hiding the true toll.
There were chaotic scenes as angry protesters shouted through a loudspeaker.
Devastating first look inside charred remains of gutted London Grenfell Tower inferno
Pictured: Neighbour catches toddler thrown from Grenfell Tower inferno
"We are in pain. We have been trodden on by people who say they are there to protect us," one woman said.
Another said: "It was a death trap and they knew it."
The protesters also held up pictures of those still missing and now feared dead.
"No justice, no peace!" the crowd shouted.
"I have friends in the tower and they are not telling us anything," Salwa Buamani, 25, said.
"We are not given information about our loved ones," she added.
"We are not here to trouble people. We just want answers," said Buamani, who came to the protest with her three-year-old niece on her shoulders.
British PM sparks anger
British Prime Minister Theresa May has been rushed away under heavy police guard as protesters pounced after she met residents who live near the London tower block.
May, already under pressure after a botched snap election, is facing widespread criticism for her response to the blaze.
She came under criticism for not meeting residents when she visited the disaster site Thursday to talk with emergency service chiefs.
The PM returned Friday to meet survivors, residents and volunteers at a local church, but was met with angry protesters.
She has promised to set up a public inquiry and pledged $A8.9 million to help the victims.
May has outlined a series of measures to help those left homeless by the devastating fire which engulfed the 24-storey North Kensington apartment block on Wednesday.
But fury has grown in the local community at what people say is the slow response from authorities to the fire and a failure to inform families and friends about the fate of loved ones.
The government has ordered a judge-led inquiry into the disaster, which is under pressure to act quickly.
Royals meet survivors
Queen Elizabeth II and her 34-year-old grandson Prince William met with the Grenfell Tower survivors on Friday at the Westway Sports Centre in West London.
During the monarch and the Duke of Cambridge's 45-minute visit to the emergency shelter they met with the courageous emergency services that were on hand to rescue those caught up in the building, as well as local residents, and community representatives, and they took the time out to listen to the survivors recall their horrifying experiences.
And William has hailed the tragic incident as "one of the most terrible things I have ever seen," the Mail Online reported.
The Queen was accompanied by a volunteer as she was shown around the shelter, which was set up to allow people to donate food and clothes to those whose possessions went up in flames earlier this week.
During the visit the Queen and William praised all of the helpers for their "incredible" support, and has urged them to continue to help as much as they can.
A charity worker for Penny Appeak named Taksima Ferdous, said: "The Queen said to me 'You have been incredible, please keep continuing.'
"She spoke to the families affected and to the workers and volunteers. She asked me about the support we are providing and I told her about the aid and donations and how the community has come together - so much so that we are saying that we don't need anymore donations.
"She told me that what we are doing is fabulous and that the response from the community has been incredible."
