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Stuart Taylor, Sasha Simic, David Amess and Peter Tippetts respond to the leading Conservative politician’s recent comments on the Grenfell Tower fireJacob Rees-Mogg thinks it would be “common sense” to have tried to leave Grenfell Tower rather than follow the fire brigade advice to “stay put” (Rees-Mogg condemned over remarks on Grenfell, 6 November). The “stay put” advice was based on the assumption that maintenance and materials were of the highest standard, regular inspection happened and regulations were followed.
There were clearly major failings at Grenfell, which the second phase of the inquiry will identify, but there is a strong suspicion that the drive to cut costs on cladding and/or drive up profits played its part. Continue reading...