Theresa May ‘is as distraught as anyone’ over the Grenfell Tower blaze, Damian Green claims
The PM has come under fire for her response to the blaze, which critics have labelled 'cold' and 'inhuman'
THERESA May is "as distraught as anyone" over the Grenfell Tower blaze, according to First Secretary of State Damian Green.
His defence of the Prime Minister comes as she has been labelled "cold" and "inhuman" for the way she's responded to the plight of those affected.
She was heavily criticised for a Newsnight interview which aired last night and was accused of failing to answer a single question when pressed on the tragedy.
Earlier in the day the PM had met with injured survivors in hospital and went to a church where she met with victims, residents, volunteers and community leaders close to the scene of the blaze.
There angry protesters screamed "coward" and "murderer" as she left under a police guard.
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Today Green told Radio 4 she was as "distraught as anyone".
He said the Prime Minister had met residents and heard their "heart-rending stories".
However, Mr Green would not say whether other tower blocks would be retrofitted with sprinkler systems in light of the tragedy.
"We will follow the recommendations of the public inquiry," he said.
He also pledged to cover "further expenses" for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, on top of the £5 million already promised.
"Obviously one imagines there will be further expenses of various kinds, that of course we will meet," he said.
May had been attempting to defend the response to the blaze which has killed at least 30 people.
She announced a £5 million fund for emergency supplies, food and clothing during a meeting with survivors of the disaster.
When asked by Newsnight's Emily Maitlis if she misjudged the public mood May replied: "What I have done since this incident took place is to ensure that the public services had the support that they needed."
And when challenged that it was now three days on, May added: "What I have done today is ensured that we are as a government putting that funding in place."
When asked if the disaster was preventable May replied: "We have yet to find out what the cause of the fire was."
On Twitter people were quick to slam her reaction to the tragedy.
@rab_anderson wrote: “Theresa may's newsnight interview is cold.”
@RichGirling77 added: “Theresa May refused to answer 1 single question put to her on #Newsnight #NoCompassion #NoBlame.”
@WrittenWard agreed, writing: “Watched the #Newsnight interview with @theresa_may. Couldn't answer ONE question properly. Makes you utterly sick. #JusticeForGrenfell.”
And @_Pr0Xii said: “How can someone be so inhuman and uncaring?”
Earlier in the day the PM met with injured survivors in hospital and went to a church where she met with victims, residents, volunteers and community leaders close to the scene of the blaze.
There angry protesters screamed “coward” and “murderer” as she left under a police guard.
Officers had to hold back the crowd and break up scuffles as the Prime Minister left St Clement’s Church in West London yesterday afternoon.
Protests took place across the capital yesterday in the wake of the disaster.
Hundreds of protesters surrounded Kensington Town Hall demanding answers.
Demonstrators surged towards the building's entrance and scuffles broke out outside as organisers appealed for calm.
Hundreds of protesters also marched on Whitehall, central London, to voice their frustration at the Government's response to the fire
At least 30 people have died but the death toll is expected to rise further with more than 70 people in total still believed to be unaccounted for.
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