Tory Minister Asks Sadiq Khan To Move Notting Hill Carnival Away From Grenfell

7 July 2017, 14:04 | Updated: 7 July 2017, 14:31

A Conservative minister has called on the Mayor of London to move the Notting Hill Carnival away from the area around Grenfell Tower.

The Carnival has been taking place in the area since 1966, when hundreds of thousands of revellers descend on the area for a spectacular, colourful street festival on August Bank Holiday.

Greg Hands, the MP for nearby Chelsea and Fulham said the event should definitely go ahead, but questioned whether it was appropriate for it to pass the site of a recent tragedym where at least 80 people died.

Writing to Sadiq Khan, he said: "The carnival is an important and symbolic celebration in our capital’s calendar, and one greatly valued and enjoyed by both Londoners and visitors alike. Clearly it must go ahead.

"However, we have to ask ourselves if it is appropriate to stage a carnival in the near proximity of a major national disaster."

But Mr Khan insisted that keeping the event in the area is important.

He said: "Notting Hill Carnival is a firm London tradition and incredibly important to the local community. It should not be moved."

Emma Dent-Coad, the local MP for the area used for the Notting Hill Carnival, was cutting with her response to the proposal.

The MP for Kensington & Chelsea said: "Greg, your office is next to mine. Didn't you think it a good idea to speak to the Kensington MP before making this ill informed proposal?"