Theresa May goes to Grenfell memorial through back door

Theresa May headed into the Grenfell Tower memorial service through the back door today after her response to the aftermath of the tragedy was criticised.

The Prime Minister attended the memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral alongside Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, members of the Royal family and survivors of the disaster.

But while many of the guests went up the front steps of the cathedral to attend the service the PM was spotted getting out of her car and heading the back way. 

Once inside, the PM sat next to her Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and near the families who lost loved ones in the inferno.

It comes after Boris Johnson angrily slammed the decision to ban Tory councillors at Kensington and Chelsea from the service .

Theresa May was spotted getting out of her car and heading into the memorial service for the Grenfell Tower disaster at St Paul’s Cathedral through the back door 

The Foreign Secretary also accused Labour London mayor Sadiq Khan’s response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy ‘spineless’.

He said the Labour mayor should share some of the blame over why many victims have still not been rehoused. 

The memorial marks six months since the inferno swept through the west London tower block, killing 71 people – including a stillborn baby.

The fire was the worst in London since the Blitz and the worst tower block fire in the Western world for 35 years.

Mr Johnson, who was Mayor of London before Mr Khan, accused his successor of failing to step up and respond to the disaster.

He said: ‘The most extraordinary lacuna in the whole conversation about Grenfell is the Mayor of London, as Macavity-like a performance by anybody I have ever seen.

‘Why did he not take charge? Why did he not find accommodation for the victims? Why was he so spineless and invertebrate? Unbelievable.’ 

The Foreign Secretary hit out at the decision to block Tory councillors in Kensington and  Chelsea from attending today's ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral.

Boris Johnson's attack prompted a furious  response from Sadiq Khan whose spokesman  accused him of 'breathtaking ignorance of the facts'.

Boris Johnson (pictured left) launched a furious attack on the London Mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured right) who he said should share some of the blame over why many victims have still not been rehoused

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry arrive for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service held at St Paul's today. The royals are being joined by Jeremy Corbyn, Theresa May, survivors of the blaze and the families of those who were killed, but Tory councillors were told not to attend the service amid continued tenisons

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry arrive for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service held at St Paul’s today. The royals are being joined by Jeremy Corbyn, Theresa May, survivors of the blaze and the families of those who were killed, but Tory councillors were told not to attend the service amid continued tenisons

And he also attacked the decision to ban Tory councillors from today’s memorial service – while Labour politicians are allowed. 

Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Johnson added: ‘It is completely wrong to take issue in that way, to discriminate against people who have given long service to their community and who may have got things wrong but who want to do their best for the people of the neighbourhood. 

‘To impugn their motives and to impugn their characters is absolutely wrong.’ 

Mr Johnson’s attack prompted a furious response from Mr Khan whose spokesman  accused him of ‘breathtaking ignorance of the facts’.

He said: ‘On the day the Mayor joins the families of those who lost loved ones in the devastating Grenfell fire, who come together to remember those who died, it beggars belief that Boris Johnson chooses to launch such a bitter attack.

Whole families were killed when the fire  ripped through the west London tower block in June this year

A public inquiry into the causes of the fire has begun as the authorities try to ensure that a similar tragedy never happens again

The fire at Grenfell Tower was the worst in London since the Blitz and the worst tower block fire in the Western world for 35 years – killing 71 people including a stillborn baby.

‘This demonstrates his breathtaking ignorance of the facts and lack of sensitivity, no doubt motivated by a wish to protect his friends in the council and in the government.’ 

Sources close to Mr Khan said he had met the victims’ families many times, but as London mayor has no powers to find homes for people. 

The row comes as families of those killed in the blaze head to St Paul’s here they will join Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and members of the royal family for a service to mark six months since the tragedy.

Around 1,500 people – including firefighters who bravely tackled the inferno and NHS workers who battled to save the lives of those caught up in it – will attend.

They will be joined by Prince Harry, Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge. 



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