Grenfell Tower fire survivor ‘has rent taken’ – as Kensington councillor sparks outrage by claiming protestors weren’t
The woman realised money had been deducted when she received a new bank card after hers was burned in the blaze
A GRENFELL Tower fire survivor has been charged rent after the deadly blaze, it was claimed today.
The woman, who is living in a hotel after the atrocity destroyed her home, realised money had been deducted when she received a new bank card after hers was burned in the blaze that killed at least 80 on June 14.
Yvette Williams, spokesperson for the Justice4Grenfell group, said she was approached by the survivor yesterday.
The campaigner slammed the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for the latest alleged blunder and demanded they cancel any remaining direct debits.
She said: "The survivor is living in a hotel and had her bank card reissued.
"She looked at her statement and realised rent has been deducted.
"She hasn't spoken to the council yet because there is no complaints procedure at all.
"Survivors have no idea where to go, or who to take a complaint to. There should be basic public sector services in place - but there aren't."
It has since emerged that rent has been suspended for residents forced to leave their homes in the shadow of tower after being crippled by a lack of utilities.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea claimed payments would not be requested for those living in the so-called "finger blocks" until January 2018 at the earliest.
The three buildings, on Barandon Walk, Testerton Walk and Hurstway have been without hot water since the neighbourhood's boiler, located beneath Grenfell Tower, was destroyed in the fire.
Any rent deducted from tenants since the blaze will be refunded, a spokesman said.
Meanwhile, a Tory councillor sparked outrage today by claiming protesters who stormed Kensington Town Hall after the fire "weren't the local community".
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Catherine Faulks suggested those demanding justice for victims were "people who like doing that sort of thing".
She said: "I think actually the people that stormed the council weren't the local community, I think they were people who like doing that sort of thing and I think they did a disservice to the local community.
"But I completely understand the anger, the frustration of the local community.
Wiliams suggested victims are being "reabused" by RBKC through the lack of support they are receiving.
She said just six survivors said they have been allocated social workers to help them recover at a recent meeting.
"It's appalling, really appalling. Why is nobody at the local authority talking to them and asking what they want?," she asked.
"You can't make it up - it's blunder after blunder."
It is not known whether any other Grenfell survivors have had rent deducted following the blaze.
An RBKC spokesperson said: "We are very sorry if this has happened and we are working to find out who has been affected so we can offer reassurance and an immediate refund.
"To the best of our knowledge the rent charges for Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk were stopped. But if anyone has had money inadvertently taken as part of a direct debit or standing order we will make arrangements to have it immediately refunded."
It comes after The Sun revealed Kensington council's shamed Tory boss finally quit after Downing Street demanded his head over the Grenfell Tower fire.
Conservative chief Nick Paget-Brown resigned just hours after No10 slammed him for trying to hold a meeting about the tragedy in secret.
A senior Government source told The Sun that there was “an increasing exasperation” at Mr Paget-Brown’s behaviour.
They added: “The last straw was the bizarre and entirely predictable cock-up by trying to keep that meeting a secret.
“Obviously the existence of the meeting was going to leak and the media were going to want to be there.
“And it was deeply embarrassing for a Conservative council to try do these things behind closed doors as it was Margaret Thatcher who opened up council meetings to the public.”
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