John McDonnell branded a 'disgrace' after claims Grenfell Tower victims were 'murdered'
SHADOW chancellor John McDonnell was branded a “disgrace” today after he repeated claims that the victims of Grenfell Tower were “murdered”.
John McDonnell maintains Grenfell was 'social murder'
Jeremy Corbyn’s senior lieutenant had reportedly apologised for the claim earlier this week, Labour sources said.
But today the hard-Left MP denied apologising and quoted Friedrich Engels, co-founder of Marxism, in claiming those responsible for the tower block in Kensington, including ministers, were guilty of “social murder”.
John McDonnell was branded a 'disgrace'
No, I don’t regret that. Political decisions were made which resulted in the deaths of these people. That’s a scandal
Asked if he regretted saying an estimated 80 people in Grenfell Tower were “murdered” by political decisions, Mr McDonnell replied: “No, I don’t regret that. Political decisions were made which resulted in the deaths of these people. That’s a scandal.
“There’s a long history in this country of the concept of social murder where decisions are made with no regard to consequences, and as a result people have suffered. Social murder has occurred in this incidence and I believe people should be accountable.”
He said he did not regret claiming the Grenfell Tower victims were 'murdered'
Chancellor Philip Hammond said later: “It is a disgraceful suggestion in line with many other things John McDonnell has said over the years.
“There is absolutely not a shred of evidence to support that.”