Chalcots estate evacuations: Local MP Tulip Siddiq says moving people was 'the right thing'

'If you think someone's in danger, especially in light of Grenfell, you take the first decision even if it's not ideal'

(Caroline Mortimer )

Hampstead and Kilburn Labour MP Tulip Siddiq backed the Labour council's decision as "the right thing".

“As a local MP and as someone who was on the council before there is no way we would risk people's safety,” she told The Independent. "If you think someone's in danger, especially in light of Grenfell, you take the first decision even if it's not ideal.”

She added: “I understand that people's lives are being disrupted know people are worried about young children but if you think someone's life is in danger you've got to act.

Ms Siddiq said it was the “right thing” to carry out safety checks after residents had raised concerns.

"Once they'd checked out the internal machinery they decided that the buildings are not fit for purpose.

"So they've made a decision that couldn't have been easy for the council to rehouse the 800 households that we have.

"It may seem dramatic to some people but if you are in a position of responsibility then I think it's the right decision to make."

She said that all the hotels booked for residents were so far within the borough."

Refurbishment of the Chalcots estate was overseen by Rydon, the company involved in the refit of Grenfell Tower, according to the Rydon website.

The site said the Chalcots project was a £66 million refurbishment that lasted 191 weeks.

The work included external thermal rain screen cladding on five towers, new aluminium thermally broken windows on five towers and an overhaul of external roofs

It added that 711 flats were modernised with new wiring, heating, kitchens and bathrooms.

It came as four more victims of Grenfell Tower were formally identified, taking the known victims to nine.

Scotland Yard also revealed manslaughter charges are being considered by detectives investigating the blaze in the tower, which had failed fire safety tests.