Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has revealed that she sought guidance from NHS trauma specialists before informing Grenfell survivors and bereaved families about the decision to dismantle the tower.
The announcement, made in a private meeting last week, has been met with upset and shock from some survivors and those who lost loved ones in the 2017 fire, who felt their views had not been adequately considered before the decision was finalised.
Rayner: “I knew it was going to be difficult”
Speaking on LBC’s Tonight With Andrew Marr, Rayner acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, stating that previous ministers had avoided making a decision due to the emotional weight of the tragedy.
“Secretary of states before me have not made decisions on the tower, and I think some of that is because it’s really difficult, and I knew it was going to be very traumatic to the people.”
She emphasised that she had consulted widely before reaching her decision, speaking with survivors, bereaved families, local headteachers, and members of the wider community. Despite these discussions, she said she recognised that there was no clear consensus on what should be done with the site.
“I knew it was going to be really difficult, but I also knew that I had the engineering advice as well and on top of the views that I got and the engineering advice, I knew that the only decision to make really was that the tower had to come down.”
Trauma specialists present at meeting
To minimise distress, Rayner said she took advice from NHS trauma specialists, who were present during the meeting. She explained that her intention was to deliver the news in a way that was as sensitive and compassionate as possible.
“I took advice from trauma specialists at the NHS there with me to try and give the clear information and to do it in a way that was as less traumatic as it could be, but it was always going to be difficult.”
However, some survivors and bereaved relatives have expressed anger and disappointment, saying they felt the decision had been made without properly considering their views.
More Read
Anger over media leaks
Rayner also voiced her frustration over the leak of the decision to the media before the families had been formally informed. She said she had tried to ensure the bereaved and survivors were the first to know, but media speculation pre-empted the official announcement.
“What really upsets me about this is these people have been through the most horrendous, horrific experience, lost their loved ones, gone through huge trauma, and the last thing they need is media reports and speculation before they’ve had the opportunity (to be informed).”
She described the leaks as deeply upsetting and said she was “really angered” that some individuals had found out from the press rather than through official channels.
Commitment to a memorial
Rayner reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring a lasting memorial is created on the site to honour the 72 victims who lost their lives in the fire. The tower remains in place, covered with a large green heart and the words “forever in our hearts”.
The government has stated that a planning application for the memorial could be submitted as early as late 2026. However, discussions with survivors and bereaved families are expected to continue to ensure that the final plans reflect their wishes.
The future of Grenfell Tower has remained a highly sensitive issue since the tragedy, and while the government has now made a decision, the wounds left by the disaster remain deep.
