New Grenfell council leader admits she had never been in a high-rise flat before disaster
Kensington and Chelsea Council's new leader says she visited tower blocks while canvassing, but had never been inside a flat.
Wednesday 12 July 2017 17:44, UK
The new leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council has admitted she had never been inside one of her high-rise flats before the Grenfell tragedy.
Elizabeth Campbell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I haven't been into the high-rise council blocks before, but I am certainly doing that now."
She later clarified to Sky News presenter Adam Boulton that she had visited tower blocks while out canvassing, but had never been inside any of the flats.
"I thought people had actually asked me whether I had been into people's flats - I've been into other flats in lots of other things," she said.
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Ms Campbell was elected onto Kensington and Chelsea Council 11 years ago.
She said she had spent the last seven years running family and children services, and "dealing with the most disadvantaged children and families in our society in the UK".
"Whether I have been on the 21st floor of a particular tower block I don't think is relevant," she said.
"I have met families in a whole range of social rented accommodation - absolutely, of course I have."
Asked if she thought it mattered to residents if she had been inside a council tower block, she said it did matter, because "people want a leader who understands absolutely, exactly".
She went on: "Do I think it matters on another level? No, because I have got the experience and understanding."
Ms Campbell rejected claims that the community was divided between the wealthy and poor - but admitted it would take a generation for the council to regain the trust of local people.
"I don't think there is a divide between the communities," she said.
"What I do think is there is a divide between the united community of rich and poor, and the state - and that trust in the state, whether it be central government or local government, has broken down. I think it might take a generation to repair that."
Responding to claims of social cleansing in the area over which Grenfell Tower looms, she said: "The residents of Lancaster West can stay in Lancaster West - I guarantee it will be all social housing."
Grenfell Tower's 24 floors have been left ravaged by the .
At least 80 people are thought to have died in the blaze, but that number could rise.
An inquiry has been ordered by Prime Minister Theresa May into the tragedy which is being chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick.
Ms Campbell said: "There's a web of different things he needs to unravel.
"I understand from our legal people that we have saved absolutely everything on servers - everything is there.
"We will be open and transparent. Any documents they need we will produce."
The Prime Minister's official spokesman confirmed Mrs May had been inside a high-rise building.
Asked if Ms Campbell's confession raised questions over her fitness to lead the council, he said: "Our position is that having a new leader in Kensington and Chelsea provides an opportunity for change."