Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner denies claims of aggression during a tense meeting on Grenfell Tower’s fate

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has rejected accusations of being “aggressive” while informing Grenfell survivors and bereaved families of the government’s decision to dismantle the tower.

The West London block, the site of the 2017 Grenfell fire tragedy, will be brought down to ground level, with parts possibly included in a memorial. However, the decision has sparked outrage, with some survivors claiming their voices were ignored.

Reports from the private meeting suggest it was a “car crash”, with one survivor alleging Rayner’s tone was “defensive, even aggressive.” The Deputy Prime Minister strongly denied this, stating:

“I certainly don’t feel like I was aggressive, and if anyone felt that way, I would be sincerely upset,” she told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

Rayner emphasised that she tried to deliver the news “as sensitively as possible”, knowing how distressing it would be for those affected.

Government’s Justification & Backlash

Despite the backlash, Rayner insists keeping Grenfell Tower “is not a possibility.”

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook defended her, stating it was unfair to claim she wasn’t listening to the survivors’ concerns. However, Grenfell United, representing many survivors and bereaved families, said “no one in the room supported” the government’s decision.

Many survivors remain frustrated by the slow pace of justice, demanding stronger accountability for those responsible for the fire that claimed 72 lives.

As emotions run high, the government faces mounting pressure to justify its decision and restore trust with the grieving community.