May called a 'coward' by circling crowds while visiting Grenfell Tower fire victims

pulse

June 17, 2017 8:22 AM

The prime minister was criticised earlier during the previous day for visiting the site without meeting the victims.

LONDON — Prime Minister Theresa May had to virtually flee the church she visited in order to meet survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire, which has killed 30 people and injured scores of others.

May was criticised on Thursday when she visited disaster site as her approach was pictorially very different to that of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The prime minister was pictured through a long lens camera being briefed by senior figures of the emergency services visiting the site but not meeting any of the residents. She later called for a full public inquiry into the catastrophe.

In contrast, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was pictured with those who have lost their homes and neighbours in Tuesday night's fire. You can see the comparison here.

She then went to visit victims in the church where Corbyn was pictured hugging crying victims. May said the government would spend £5 million for clothes, food and emergency supplies to the victims. However, an angry mob circled the prime minister outside the church:

Here is a video of the same moment but the police having to protect her while May moved quickly to her car:

And here is May having nearly run to the car to avoid the crowds:

She also went to visit victims in hospital later on Friday:

But criticism did not stop there. On Friday evening, May was interviewed by Emily Maitlis on the BBC programme "Newsnight" where she sidestepped questions over whether she misread the public mood and anger over the Grenfell fire as well as what her personal response is — leading to more criticism of being called "robotic" and "cold."

When asked about whether she misread the public's mood, she just responded:

"This was a terrible tragedy that took place. People have lost their lives and others have lost everything, all their possessions, their home and everything.

"What we are doing is putting in place the support that will help them.

"But it is a terrible tragedy. I have heard horrifying stories from the fire brigade, from police and from victims themselves who were in that tower but also from other local residents, some of whom of course have not been able to go back to their homes either.

"What I’m now absolutely focused on is ensuring that we get that support on the ground."

Here is the full interview:

And here is the reaction:

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