Grenfell Memorial Commission Slams Government's 'Yet Another Betrayal'
The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission, a public advocacy group, has issued a scathing condemnation of the government after revelations that Arabic script from the tower was removed without their involvement or preservation for the memorial. In what the commission describes as "yet another betrayal of the Grenfell community's trust," this decision has sparked outrage among families and community members still grieving from the 2017 tragedy.
Arabic Text Removed Without Consultation
According to a letter obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Camilla Sheldon, Director for Grenfell Community and Memorial, informed families that Arabic text from floor 18 of Grenfell Tower, reading "Allahu Akbar" (meaning "God is the greatest"), was taken down in December 2025 and is "not available to preserve." The text, found in a stairwell, will not be used in any memorial, despite its cultural and emotional significance to many affected residents.
The commission stated that the government did not inform them of any previous requests to preserve elements from the tower and was not involved in this critical decision. A spokesperson expressed dismay, noting that commitments made by former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and her predecessors were disregarded without discussion with the community.
Government Response and Handprint Preservation
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) told the LDRS it could not comment on claims about a preservation request for the Arabic script before deconstruction. However, the government revealed it has now decided to remove and preserve handprints from the stairwells of the 12th and 13th floors, with work paused between the 13th and 14th floors. No decision has been made on whether these handprints will be incorporated into the memorial, pending further consultation.
An MHCLG spokesperson acknowledged the deep personal significance of Grenfell Tower and thanked the commission for their dedication. They confirmed that the government did not make the commission aware of the preservation request but has instructed contractor DeconstructUK to carefully remove and preserve requested elements where possible. Further engagement with the community is planned as part of the memorial design process led by Freehaus.
Broader Context of Grenfell Deconstruction
The deconstruction of Grenfell Tower has been a polarizing and sensitive issue, with the government previously stating it would focus on retaining elements from floors nine and below due to the sensitivity of upper floors where lives were lost. This latest incident highlights ongoing tensions between the government and the Grenfell community, with the commission accusing officials of betraying trust and failing to uphold open working methods established since 2019.
As families await a fitting memorial, this revelation underscores the challenges in balancing preservation, community input, and government accountability in the aftermath of one of London's most devastating tragedies.
