Queen sees ‘sombre mood’ after fire as May struggles

Bloomberg

Queen Elizabeth II declared a “somber national mood” after the deadly apartment tower fire in West London killed at least 30 people as doubts mount about Prime Minister Theresa May’s handling of the crisis.
For two days, May’s government has struggled to respond to the fire at Grenfell Tower, opened four decades ago as state-subsidized housing. She met survivors privately on Friday and promised measures including 5 million pounds ($6.4 million) for emergency costs, and new homes nearby within three weeks. They’ll also be consulted on the public inquiry into the disaster announced earlier. But demonstrators shouted “coward” at the premier, accusing her of dodging an earlier meeting with victims.
The queen visited a shelter for victims earlier on Friday to speak with displaced residents. In a statement to mark the official celebration of her 91st birthday, she said, “it is difficult to escape a very somber national mood” after a “succession of terrific tragedies.” After visiting Manchester and London after attacks or disasters, she said, “I have been profoundly struck by the immediate inclination of people throughout the country to offer comfort and support for those in desperate need.”
Protesters in London accused authorities of suppressing the true death toll, an idea that has spread on social media. Although the police and fire service expect the number to rise significantly, they are following their usual procedure of only raising it as they confirm deaths. Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy said on Thursday of the toll, “I’d like to hope that it isn’t going to be triple figures.”