Five questioned over 'disgusting' video showing laughing group burn Grenfell Tower model
Five men have been arrested after an "appalling and disturbing" video emerged showing people at a bonfire party burning a cardboard model of Grenfell Tower.
The Metropolitan Police said the men, who are all from south and south-east London, handed themselves in on Monday night.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said they are a 19-year-old, a 46-year-old and a 49-year-old, all from South Norwood, a 49-year-old from Lambeth and a 55-year-old from Beckenham.
They handed themselves in at a south London police station at 10pm and were arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and taken into custody.
The video appears to have been taken at a private party and shows the group laughing and joking as they watch the model, which is marked "Grenfell Tower", go up in flames.
The cardboard structure shows paper figures at the windows with their arms in the air.
The chairman of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick today said he was aware of the video and is "very pleased" the police are taking the matter seriously.
He said: "The inquiry is aware of the offensive video that was posted online yesterday.
"It must be shocking and distressing to all those involved, whatever way, whatever form their involvement, whether as bereaved survivors, or indeed as members of the wider community."
Sir Moore-Bick added: "I am very pleased to hear that the authorities are taking the matter seriously."
Theresa May condemned the "utterly unacceptable" video, while Khadijah Mamudu, whose mother and younger brother escaped the fire, said the burning of the effigy was a "vile act".
Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy, who is leading the investigation into the Grenfell Tower tragedy, said he was "frankly appalled by the callous nature" of the video.
London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton, who was at the scene of the harrowing blaze, said the video was "appalling and disturbing".
A total of 72 people perished as a result of the tragedy at the west London block on June 14 last year.
In the video posted online, the party-goers are heard making remarks as they watch the paper model burn.
One person can be heard saying "stay in your flat" - another says "we are coming to get you", references to the advice the fire brigade gave to the residents on the night of the fire.
Another shouted "help, help me", appearing to mock the people who were at the windows when the fire broke out, desperate to escape the inferno.
Later, a member of the group shouts "jump out of the window" while another imitates the noise of emergency sirens.
When the model goes up in flames, cheering can be heard.
At the end of the clip, someone can be heard saying: "That's what happens when they don't pay their rent."
Campaigners described the video as a "sickening act of hate".
Natasha Elcock, from Grenfell United, said: "It's a disgusting video. We hope that the police are taking this seriously", while Justice4Grenfell said it "caused great alarm and distress".
London mayor Sadiq Khan said he "utterly" condemned the "sickening" video, describing the Grenfell Tower fire as "one of the most devastating tragedies our city has ever suffered".