Lily Allen accuses government of being dishonest over number of victims who died in Grenfell Tower blaze

SINGER Lily Allen has claimed the number of victims of the Grenfell Tower blaze was being "downplayed" and the true death toll is closer to "150 people".

The 32-year-old, who lives close to the area affected, told Channel 4 News yesterday the "off-the-record" figures were "given to her by police and fire crews".

She also slammed the response of the Government and accused the media of "downplaying" the tragedy.

During an interview with presenter Jon Snow, the pop star said: “I think what people would really like is a more honest count of how many people have actually died in this event, how many people have been killed.

"I feel like the Government is trying to micro manage people’s grieving here.

"I have never in my life seen an event like this where the death count has been downplayed by mainstream media."

She added: "Seventeen? I’m sorry but I’m hearing from people that the figure is much closer to 150, and that many of those people are children.

“Those are off the record numbers I’ve been given from policemen and from firemen."

Seventeen people have so far been confirmed dead after a massive blaze ravaged the West London 24-storey tower block in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

But police expect that number to rise -  with many people still missing as their families and friends continue desperately to find them.

Jon Snow responded to her claims by saying although the media is aware the death toll is expected to rise "very considerably", he pointed out to the difficulties of officially identifying victims.

Following the interview, Allen later tweeted: "I appreciate the difficulties with identifying bodies, but there are people out here clinging to hope when I don't think there is any."

In another Twitter post, she added: "The longer this goes on the more dangerous that becomes. I DO think it's political posturing, and it's not fair. These people are suffering."

She also hit back at critics who questioned why she was interviewed about the tragedy in the first place.

The singer, who previously offered beds, lifts and tea to those in need, wrote: "Because I live here, I was at the scene at 2.30am, I watched people burned alive and have been helping out with relief efforts."

Allen then revealed BBC'S Newsnight had "cancelled" an interview later that night.

It comes as police yesterday warned they may not be able to identify all of those killed in the disaster as the process of recovering bodies would be much harder on the higher floors.

Met Police Commander Stuart Cundy said: "It may be that ultimately some victims remain unidentified."

Mr Cundy also warned that a full search of the building could take months.

He said: "I won't know that until we've gone through the full recovery from Grenfell Tower and we know exactly what we've got and I anticipate that is going to take a considerable period of time.

"Not just the immediate recovery of the bodies we have found but the full search of that whole building we could be talking weeks we could be talking months - it is a very long process.

"There is a risk that sadly we may not be able to identify everybody."

When asked whether he feared the death toll could reach triple figures, Mr Cundy said: “From a personal perspective, I really hope it isn't.

“For those of us that have been down there, it's pretty emotional, so I hope it is not triple figures, but I can't be drawn on the numbers.”

Anyone concerned for loved ones in the blaze can contact the Met Police casualty bureau on 0800 0961 233