Theresa May orders emergency meeting to co-ordinate response to the Grenfell Tower block fire as questions mount over former Housing Minister’s delays to fire safety report

THERESA MAY has ordered an emergency meeting this afternoon to ensure the emergency services are prepared to tackle the aftermath of the Grenfell tower blaze.

But questions were mounting for the Government after Gavin Barwell, now the PM's chief of staff, oversaw a delay to a key report when he was Housing Minister.

No10 confirmed today that a "cross-government meeting" would take place at 4pm.

It co-ordinated the response to the tragic blaze in the West London tower block, which has killed at least twelve and left more than 68 in hospital - 18 of whom are in critical care.

Hundreds of fire-fighters and emergency services were despatched to Kensington in the early hours of this morning.

Residents have told harrowing tales of seeing stranded people in the building screaming for help, and a baby being thrown from a window.

And a haunting blog was written just months ago by residents of the tower block - which explictly warned about the risks of fire.

This afternoon Jeremy Corbyn suggested that spending cuts could have contributed to the "unbelivable, frightening and appalling" fire.

The Labour leader said "searching questions" needed to be asked about it - and that recommenadions from previous fire safety reports had to be acted upon.

"Obviously ministers that served and received those reports must be questioned. But today every focus and every concentration must be on saving and protecting life."

He added: "If you deny local authorities the funding they need, then there is a price that's paid."

Former cabinet minister Harriet Harman echoed Mr Corbyn's words.

She said: "Councils want to fit sprinklers in their tower blocks, but it comes down to money.

"The Government has been cutting the money to councils. If you cut money to councils you can't put in sprinklers.

"I'm afraid the Government has got to say 'we have responsibility overall in public buildings to make sure of the safety of these tenants and we can't penny-pinch where it will cost lives'."

A Downing Street spokesperson said today: "The Prime Minister’s thoughts are with all of those affected by this terrible incident and the emergency services, who are working tirelessly in very difficult circumstances."

And London Labour MP David Lammy is still searching for information about a "dear friend" of his who be believes was caught up in the tragedy last night - Khadija Saye.

Mr Barwell was the minister responsible for a review into fire safety in high rise buildings and told MPs in October that the government had “committed ourselves” to one.

But nothing had been produced by the time Theresa May called a snap election in April.

The review had already been on hold for a number of years.

A former chief fire expert who had called for the needed review said he had heard from Mr Barwell earlier this year and no decision had been taken.

Ronnie King said: "Mr Barwell said he was still looking at it and was preparing to meet with the All-Party group. That's when the election was called and the meeting never happened."

Calls for a review were sparked after six people died and more than 20 were injured at a blaze in Lakanal House in Camberwell in 2009.

Mr Corbyn pointed out that recommendations for sprinklers to be installed in high-rise buildings after the fatalities had not been heeded.

Meanwhile, a potential deal between the DUP and the Conservatives could be delayed because of the fire.

DUP sources said that it wouldn't be appropriate to make any announcements today - but that most of an arrangement had been sorted out.