BEREAVED families and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have condemned government moves to demolish the building as “insensitive” and “disrespectful.” 

Ministers are expected to announce a decision to demolish the west London block of flats this month after structural engineering experts “unambiguously and unanimously” advised that it should be “carefully taken down.” 

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has reportedly been told that the tower poses a risk to the community, including two nearby schools.

But families and survivors have hit out at the plans, vowng that “nothing is going to happen to the tower unless we say so.” 

Government officials have told families to expect a decision on the future of the building this month, but they gave assurances that it would not demolished before the fifth anniversary of the blaze – June 14 next year. 

Karim Mussilhy, of families group Grenfell United, who lost his uncle Hesham Rahman in the fire, branded the development “insensitive” and “disrespectful” today.

“We’ve made it very very clear, you are not touching the tower until we say so,” he told LBC radio.  

“The most sacred, the most sensitive thing is what’s going to happen to the future of the site.” 

Mr Mussilhy described concerns over safety as “nonsense,” saying that the community had previously consulted structural engineering experts who said that the building could remain in place. 

“They want this tower down as quick as possible,” he added. “They want Grenfell to be forgotten. The only thing that’s reminding everybody about what happened at Grenfell is the tower standing the way it’s standing proud at the moment.”

The community has been working on its own plans for the future of the site, including turning the building into a living wall. 

Grenfell United said that the government had engaged with fewer than 10 of the bereaved and survivors, despite promises that no decision would be made without fully consulting the community. 

The group’s statement added: “How can the tower be demolished before the legal process concludes, when no judge in the land can confirm it won’t hinder future criminal prosecutions? Justice is important to us all and anything that may prevent justice must not be an option.”

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We know how important and sensitive this decision is, and no decision has been taken.”

The ministry said it was engaging closely with the community as it considers evidence related to safety concerns.