ANGELA RAYNER has denied being aggressive during a “car crash” meeting with Grenfell Tower survivors and the bereaved, informing them of the decision to dismantle the tower.

The Deputy Prime Minister said it is “not a possibility” for Grenfell Tower to remain in its current state and it will be brought down to ground level, with some parts returned where possible to be included in a memorial “if the community wishes.”

The government has officially announced its plans for the west London tower block, destroyed by fire in 2017, having received criticism from some of the survivors and bereaved following a private meeting earlier this week.

Ms Rayner was challenged over claims that the meeting was a “car crash” and that a survivor suggested the Deputy Prime Minister was “defensive, even aggressive.”

She told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “Well, I certainly don’t feel like I was aggressive, and if anyone felt that way, then I would be sincerely upset about that.

“I listened to what they said and my conclusion was still that there was, there is not a possibility, really, for that tower to remain as it is.”

Some expressed upset and shock after the meeting with Ms Rayner on Wednesday, saying they felt they had not had their views considered before the decision was taken.

Grenfell United, which represents some bereaved and survivors, said it appeared from the meeting that no-one supported the government’s decision.

The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been consulting on plans for a permanent memorial in the area.

Recommendations include a “peaceful place for remembering and reflecting.”