Fury as Tories are overheard 'discussing how to spin Grenfell for votes' a mile from the tower
-
Loading... - Maya Conte
- 11 Apr 2021
- 1019 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Tory canvassers were allegedly heard discussing how to spin the Grenfell blaze for political gain a mile from the scene of the tragedy.
Local council candidate Maxwell Woodger is said to have been part of the group – which was also allegedly heard saying survivors still living in hotels were “milking the system”.
Mr Woodger strongly refuted the allegation but a complaint has been made to Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham Conservative Party.
A witness at the Ladbroke Arms said: “They were unashamed, it was shocking to hear. One appeared to be briefing a woman.
“She was told, ‘What we need to get across is there are only "X" still left in hotels and they’re only there because basically they are milking the system’.
“He said they needed to spin Grenfell on doorsteps.”
Aalya Moses, 57, who escaped the inferno last June and spent five months in a hotel, said: “I don’t know how being burnt out of your home and stuck in a hotel for months is milking the system.
“If one of them did say that, how can he? If it’s true, it’s outrageous.”
The witness said he told the Tories to “show some respect” and then complained to the manageress – but she could not do anything as they were on the other side of the pub wall.
But he added: “A couple came into the pub grounds to put leaflets on a table and the manageress asked them to leave.”
The pub’s assistant manager, Ugne Simabicinte, confirmed that they were asked to leave.
Mr Woodger was nominated as the Tory candidate for Queen’s Gate Ward in South Kensington for May 3.
He said: “That whole story is made up. No, I was not talking about Grenfell.
“I could see this guy was irritated by a group of Tories. He looked over and started shouting about Grenfell.”
A spokesperson for Kensington and Chelsea Conservatives said: “The allegation they were asked to move because of comments about Grenfell and the alleged comments about Grenfell are categorically untrue.”
