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London fire: Jeremy Corbyn says 'the truth has got to come out' about Grenfell Tower disaster

The Labour leader committed to 'speak up for all' the local residents

Andrew Griffin
Thursday 15 June 2017 13:30 BST
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Corbyn on Grenfell Tower: "The truth has got to come out"

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Jeremy Corbyn has said that the "truth has got to come out" about the Grenfell Fire.

The Labour leader made the comment as he visited the scene of the fire, which killed at least 17 people and made many more homeless.

Mr Corbyn was told by residents that the "country needs you".

"Someone has to be held accountable, someone has to be held responsible," he was told.

Mr Corbyn said that the local MP – Emma Dent Coad, who was elected in a shock result last week – and Labour's housing spokesperson would each speak up for residents. "I will speak up for all of you," he said.

"The truth has got to come out," he said. "And it will."

The Labour leader also voiced concerns that everyone who lives in a high-rise flat like Grenfell Tower will be asking about how safe they are, and asked the government to give assurances to residents.

Labour MPs visited St Clements Church, where volunteers have set up a refuge centre and which has served as a base for donations and help. He met with volunteers who showed him the many donations that have arrived in the area since the disaster.

"It's great that you're in place," he told them.

The visit came on the same day that Theresa May first visited the site. She spoke with firefighters and police officers inside the cordoned area, before being whisked off in a car without speaking to reporters.

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