Pop singer Lily Allen has accused the government of downplaying the death toll in the Grenfell Tower blaze. She claimed, "off-the-record" figures, "given to her by police and fire crews", point to almost 150 casualties.
Also read: London fire: Jeremy Clarkson, Rita Ora & Jaime Oliver help Grenfell Towers residents
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in West London on Wednesday, many celebs, including Jeremy Clarkson, Rita Ora, Lily Allen, and Adele, lent a helping hand to the homeless victims. The celebs urged their followers to do the same.
However, London police on Thursday confirmed the death of 12 people while saying the toll is likely to rise. The conditions of many victims are still critical.
In a recent interview with Channel 4, singer Lily Allen alleged the total death count was being downplayed by media. She said: "I feel like the government is trying to micro manage people's grieving here, that's what's happening. I have never in my life seen an event like this where the death count has been downplayed by mainstream media. Seventeen? I'm sorry but I'm hearing from people that the figure is much closer to 150, and that many of those people are children."
"Those are off the record numbers I've been given from policemen and from firemen," she added. The interviewer Jon Snow responded to Allen by saying the media are very much aware the death toll is likely to rise "considerably."
I am politicizing #Grenfell tower because, it is governmental policies that have lead to so many unnecessary deaths. pic.twitter.com/9kqVMpiQkQ
— lily #labourtine? (@lilyallen) June 15, 2017
good for @lilyallen on channel 4 #grenfell be honest about how many people have actually died the people are sick of lies and bullshit!
— Rebecca Ferguson (@RebeccaFMusic) June 15, 2017
"Once these people’s hope turns to anger they (council) have got a real problem on their hands" @lilyallen tells @jonsnowC4 #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/jIiaKypRlG
— Hayley Barlow (@Hayley_Barlow) June 15, 2017
@lilyallen when i was down there they said well into triple figures so is probably even more than 150.good on you for telling some truth
— Paloma Faith (@Palomafaith) June 15, 2017
The British singer's controversial comment drew outrage on social media as one Twitter user wrote, "Dear @Channel4News please, not Lily Allen. Please find better interviewees for #GrenfellTowerFire story." But many left shocked hearing the statement as some Twitterati praised her for speaking up.
Seize Lily Allen's mansion. https://t.co/OXjYQmXc7U
— Old Holborn✘ (@Holbornlolz) June 15, 2017
#LilyAllen giving her expert opinion on fire safety on @Channel4News pic.twitter.com/vj0CEXoA30
— Davey in Blaydon (@daveyinblaydon) June 15, 2017
@lilyallen I wonder why the daily mail have not mentioned you were there but so much about Adele. They HATE you! Well played ????
— Helen Gore (@HelenGoreX) June 15, 2017
Allen later took to Twitter to inform BBC had cancelled her interview following the Channel 4 controversy. She also tweeted, "I am politicizing #Grenfell tower because, it is governmental policies that have lead to so many unnecessary deaths."
UK Prime Minister Theresa May visited the Grenfell Tower yesterday and ordered a full public inquiry into the blaze.
Lily Allen on Channel 4 News https://t.co/HGwS5SKuOc via @MetroUK
— lily #labourtine? (@lilyallen) June 16, 2017