Grenfell Tower demolition confirmed despite backlash

Grenfell Tower is set to be demolished in a “sensitive" process that will take around two years.

- ALEXANDER BUTLER KATE DEVLIN

The government said yesterday that the tower, which was preserved after the horrific blaze ripped through the building and killed 72 people in June 2017, will be "carefully" taken down.

Ministers had been met with fierce criticism from some bereaved families and survivors of the fire following a private meeting about its future earlier this week. Confirmation of the decision has led to calls for ministers and others to “accelerate the pursuit of justice” after an official inquiry found “decades of failure” had led to the tragedy.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who is responsible for housing, is understood to have been met with gasps from shocked families and survivors on Wednesday after she told them it would be knocked down.

Grenfell United, which represents some of the bereaved and survivors of the fire, claimed the voices of many loved ones had been ignored.