DOWNING Street has insisted Theresa May is “absolutely committed” to supporting people affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy after she was criticised by grime artist Stormzy at the Brit Awards.
The rapper was praised by Labour MPs as he asked Theresa May “where’s the money for Grenfell?” in his live performance at last night’s ceremony.
The grime artist, who won two of the top gongs of the night, closed the event at London’s O2 Arena with an emotional performance that saw him direct a pointed question at the Prime Minister.
In a freestyle rap, he said: “Theresa May where’s the money for Grenfell? What you thought we just forgot about Grenfell?
“You criminals, and you’ve got the cheek to call us savages, you should do some jail time, you should pay some damages, you should burn your house down and see if you can manage this.”
Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has been very clear that Grenfell was an unimaginable tragedy that should never have happened and must never happen again.
“She’s determined that the public inquiry will discover not just what went wrong but why the voices of the people of Grenfell were ignored over so many years.
“In terms of support for the people affected by this tragedy, more than £58 million has been committed.”
Mrs May is not understood to have seen Stormzy’s Brits performance and her spokesman said he was “not aware of any plans” for her to meet the star.
Labour MP David Lammy praised the south London rapper on Twitter following his performance.
He wrote: “Theresa May where’s the money for Grenfell? You think we forgot about Grenfell?”. Respect @Stormzy1 speaking truth to power. #BRITs2018.”
“Theresa May where’s the money for Grenfell? You think we forgot about Grenfell?”. Respect @Stormzy1 speaking truth to power. #BRITs2018
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) February 21, 2018
The Tottenham MP also congratulated the music star for his double win, and added: “He’s changed the game, his story is so inspiring and his music has given a voice to a generation of young people living in our inner cities. Respect and love from Tottenham.”
Labour MP for Kensington Emma Dent Coad tweeted: “Thank you for speaking truth to power, @Stormzy1. “Theresa May where’s the money for Grenfell? You think we forgot about Grenfell?” he sang live on the #BRITs.
“In Kensington we will never forget. We will never stop fighting for Justice. No justice, no peace.”
Brits viewers also praised his politically-charged set, with one describing it as “so powerful” while another said: “#Stormzy using his platform for good, making sure that hundreds of families from Grenfell continue to be remembered.
Whether you agree with his use of the platform or not, you can’t say it hasn’t got you thinking. #BRITS.”
It is not the first time Stormzy has taken aim at Mrs May at a public event.
In September last year, he labelled her a “paigon” at the GQ Men of the Year Awards.
According to the Urban dictionary, a paigon is “a friend that lies, betrays and isn’t true to you”.
"We went in there, we made something that I feel like is undeniable. I can stand by it today!" – @stormzyofficial #StormzyBRITs takes home the @mastercarduk British Album of the Year #BRITs pic.twitter.com/dIteVRMn5q
— BRIT Awards (@BRITs) February 21, 2018
During his set at the Glastonbury Festival last year, Stormzy had paid tribute to the victims of the Grenfell fire, and he also performed on the star-studded charity single that was orchestrated by Simon Cowell.
Last week, a series of billboards were paraded through central London to highlight the “lack of progress” made since the Grenfell Tower fire in June last year that killed 71 people.
The Justice 4 Grenfell campaign group that said key issues were being “downplayed or ignored” and that it was acting to keep “this tragedy in the national conscience”.
Earlier at the Brit Awards, Stormzy became emotional when he was revealed as the winner of the British male solo artist prize.
He then became overwhelmed as he was announced as the winner of the most coveted prize of the night, the British album award, beating favourite Ed Sheeran to the accolade.
He fell to the ground in shock while in the audience as he was announced the winner for his debut record Gang Signs And Prayer.
Accepting his prize, the rapper told the audience: “Firstly, I always give all the glory to God, God this is all you, this is all you God.
“I know that a lot of people, when I give the glory to God, it seems such a strange thing, but if you know God, you know it’s all him.”
He thanked his family and his team, and added: “Gang Signs And Prayer, this was the hardest thing, I’ve never worked on something like this in my life, I’ve never given my entire being, I didn’t have anything left after… we made something I feel that is undeniable, that I can stand by today.”
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