Grenfell to be demolished, bereaved families told

The government has decided to demolish Grenfell Tower, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner told a meeting with bereaved relatives and survivors, the BBC understands.

Seventy two people died when the tower block in west London caught fire in June 2017.

The decision follows several years of debate over the future of the 24-storey tower, with some hoping it would remain in place as a lasting reminder of the tragedy and others wanting it replaced with a new memorial.

A formal announcement by the government is expected to be announced on Friday.

Kimia Zabihyan, representing the group Grenfell Next of Kin which acts for some of the bereaved families, told the BBC she attended the meeting with Rayner where she said the tower would be deconstructed down to the ground level.

"The deputy prime minister was very clear that she has taken this decision very seriously, that it is a serious responsibility and that it is a very sensitive decision to make, but it is one that she felt she had to make," said Ms Zabihyan, adding that Rayner said she made the decision based on what engineers had recommended.

The government has previously been warned the structure may be unsafe due to the extent of the fire damage.