Eric Pickles, who gave evidence last week, erroneously said that 96 people lost their lives in the June 2017 fire. The exact number of victims was 72. In an email to the investigation then, he apologized for what he said was an “unintentional mistake”. Lord Pickles, a former Brentwood and Ongar MP who served as Minister of Communities and Local Government between 2010 and 2015, referred to the victims as “anonymous 96 people” when he appeared before the April 7 fire investigation. In an email released by the investigation as a new hearing began Monday, Pickles said he had “other tragedies in mind, including Hillsborough” as he prepared to give evidence. The politician, who was also chairman of the Conservative Party from 2009 to 2010, wrote that he “made a mistake”. In the email, he said: “In my last remarks I spoke wrongly and referred to the 96 people who died in Hillsborough and immediately afterwards. “I apologize to the family and friends of the 72 people who lost their lives in Grenfell for this unintentional mistake, which was not a script. “The dead are remembered not as a statistic, but with dignity by their families, survivors and all of us.” Requested to publish the email along with his details. An apology was sent by Lord Pickles after taking the number of people who died in error while giving evidence in the Grenfell fire investigation. Photo: Grenfell Tower Inquiry / PA In July 2021, a medical examiner ruled that Andrew Devine, who died at the age of 55, 32 years after a severe and irreversible brain injury in Hillsborough, had been killed illegally and was therefore legally the 97th victim of the disaster. Following Pickles’ comments, Grenfell United, a group that supports fire survivors and mourners, criticized Pickles for what he described as “utter contempt” for the victims and called for his removal from the government and Parliament. Lords. In a statement, the team said: “Eric Pickles’ disrespect for the investigation has left us speechless. How dare he refer to our loved ones we lost that night as “the 96 anonymous”. Seventy-two people died in Grenfell and none of them were anonymous. “His utter contempt for what happened and for those who are no longer with us is frightening, given his ability as Minister of Housing to reform the security of buildings.” The group added: “Eric Pickles needs to get away from the government and the Lords. “Otherwise, the government continues to show contempt for the safety of the people in this country.” Pickles also seemed frustrated with how much time he spent researching last week, as he gave a second day of evidence. Speaking to Richard Millett QC, chief research officer, he said: “In any case, sir, do not hesitate to ask me as many questions as you want, but I could respectfully remind you that you promised to miss us in the morning and I changed my schedule. to match it “.
