A chief fire officer who was first on the scene at the Grenfell Tower tragedy “blames himself” for not saving more people, a Labour MP has told the Commons.
Speaking about one of his constituents, Chris Vince argued it is not “heroes” such as the responding fire officers who are to blame, but “people like us, in this room, with suits on”.
During business questions, the MP for Harlow said: “Two weeks ago at my MP surgery I met with medically-retired chief fire officer Rod Wainwright.
“Rod Wainwright was one of the first attenders at the terrible tragedy of Grenfell, seven years ago.
Would the Leader of the House agree with me that it's people like us, in this room, with suits on, who are to blame for the terrible tragedy of Grenfell?
“Subsequently he has been medically-retired because of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), he didn’t get the support that he asked for from the fire service, the in-house counselling wasn’t enough, and (he) has subsequently had issues with his pension.
“Rod blames himself for not being able to save more people on that terrible evening.
“Would the Leader of the House agree with me that it’s people like us, in this room, with suits on, who are to blame for the terrible tragedy of Grenfell? And not heroes, like Rod Wainwright.
“And agree with me that further debate needs to be had to support heroes, like Rod, moving forward?”
Commons Leader Lucy Powell thanked Mr Vince for the “powerful contribution”.
She added: “I’m really sorry to hear about the suffering that his constituent Rod Wainwright continues to suffer, having been in attendance at the Grenfell tower tragedy.
“The Prime Minister has made clear that he still feels that survivors and bereaved of the fire have been let down badly before, during, and after.
“And that includes those who attended as fire officers, and others. And there will be another debate on the Grenfell Inquiry report.”
