Elizabeth Campbell was greeted loud boos and cries of 'shame' at first full council meeting since disaster
THE NEW leader of Kensington council faced calls to resign from furious Grenfell Tower residents minutes after she was elected tonight.
As Elizabeth Campbell was elected by fellow councillors, there were loud boos and cries of "Shame!"
Demonstrators gathered outside the highly charged meeting in Kensington Town Hall which was the council's first full one since the disaster last month, which saw at least 80 people killed.
An enraged resident shouted at Ms Campbell: "You murdered my friend's wife and kids, you won't murder my wife and kids - resign!"
One woman who escaped from a flat in Grenfell Tower told the meeting: "I am here to represent those who were killed, their bodies turned into ash - the survivors, who are burning inside."
Ms Campbell, a Tory councillor, admitted there had been a "retreat from the streets" with officials preferring to meet with each other rather than reaching out to residents.
In her speech, which was repeatedly interrupted by hecklers, she said: "The stories I've heard have been heartbreaking and humbling."
And she pledged to build hundreds of new homes in the next few years - as well as buying up already-built properties where Grenfell survivors can live.
Emma Dent Coad, the local Labour MP, said: "This council is not fit for purpose."
Several survivors criticised the councillors for continuing to argue along party-political lines - one said: "It's sad that you are here doing business for your parties. I see people in blue toes and red ties."
Councillors struck a conciliatory tone, apologising for the botched handling of the initial response to the fire.
New chief executive Barry Quirk said: "It is plain that in the immediate days after the fire the council's response was not adequate.
"This is deeply regrettable and the council needs to provide an apology to those whom it has corporately let down.
"These failings have served to corrode the public's trust in the council as a competent public authority."
A large group of local residents and political activists gathered outside the building before the meeting to protest.
The meeting began with prayers from the Dean of Kensington and a local imam.
A public gallery packed with former Grenfell Tower residents and an over-spill room containing at least 150 community members and volunteers were present.
Residents panicked at the end of the meeting when the fire escape door was reportedly locked, according to .
One panicked resident was heard shouting: "I do not want anyone trapped.
"I'm already traumatised as it is."
At least 400 people lived in the 120-flat building, but it is not clear how many were there during the blaze.
More than 500 emergency service crew members – including around 300 firefighters – were scrambled to the scene.
Authorities have faced a huge backlash because cladding on the tower has been blamed for spreading the inferno.
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