Sadiq Khan calls for Grenfell council takeover as leader Nicholas Paget-Brown quits
Kensington and Chelsea council leader Nicholas Paget-Brown quits - but Sadiq Khan says the whole council needs to be taken over.
Saturday 1 July 2017 07:50, UK
Sadiq Khan has called for Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council to be taken over by commissioners following the Grenfell Tower fire.
.Mr Khan's call came not long after council leader Nicholas Paget-Brown said he would be stepping down due to "perceived failings" over its response to the disaster.
The council came under increased pressure after on Thursday evening when journalists won access.
In a letter to Theresa May, the London Mayor said: "Following yesterday evening's shambolic council cabinet meeting, it is self-evident that the leadership of the council has lost the trust of local residents.
"Therefore, I believe the Government has no option but to immediately appoint commissioners to take over the running of council.
Mr Khan added: "It is also clear that a change in leadership from amongst the existing councillors will not address this situation - in fact it may aggravate it further, as it fails to address the fundamental breakdown in trust that has taken place."
Announcing his resignation, Mr Paget-Brown said: "This council has been criticised for failing to answer all the questions that people have. That is properly a matter for the public inquiry.
"As council leader I have to accept my share of responsibility for these perceived failings.
Deputy leader Rock Feilding-Mellen is also stepping down, saying he would "of course co-operate in full with the public inquiry".
Labour councillor Robert Atkinson, whose ward includes Grenfell Tower, told Sky News his reaction to Mr Paget-Brown's resignation was "one of relief".
Mr Atkinson said Mr Paget-Brown had "totally failed in the leadership role in the time since the disaster happened".
The resignations were met with a mixed response among victims of the blaze.
Shaheena Bibi told Sky News: "They've resigned, so what? Where's the truth, are we getting it? Is justice really for Grenfell, where is it?"
Survivor Joe Delaney said it was "too little, too late".
He added: "(Mr Paget-Brown) should have gone the moment it was clear how wholly underperforming RBKC have been in the wake of this tragedy.
"I don't think it is enough, they all need to resign."
Earlier, the chief executive of the group that .
Robert Black, chief executive of Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation, agreed to resign to "concentrate on assisting with the investigation and inquiry".
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn has written to Theresa May demanding a broader public inquiry into the tragedy.
The Labour leader says he was "concerned to hear Sir Martin Moore-Bick indicate that the Terms of Reference for the inquiry will be narrow".
Mr Corbyn quotes Sir Martin, who is leading the inquiry, as saying it would be "pretty well limited to the problems surrounding the start of the fire and its rapid development".
The Labour leader adds: "I would be grateful for clarification as to who so instructed Sir Martin Moore-Bick and how his comments are compatible with the Queen's Speech commitment that residents and families of the deceased be consulted on the terms of reference for the inquiry."