Memorial service for Grenfell victims at Westminster Abbey

Silent walk past the Grenfell Tower, Credit: Cath Atlee

The 72 men, women and children who lost their lives in London's Grenfell Tower fire were remembered at a service in Westminster Abbey on 14 June to mark five years since the disaster. Faith leaders read out the names of victims who perished in the tower block fire. After each group of names was read out, the congregation said in unison "Forever in our hearts" - the phrase written across the top of the covered-up tower in north Kensington.

People placed white roses in memory of the victims and afterwards the Abbey bell tolled in memory of all those who died.

Attendees included former prime minister Theresa May, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Housing Secretary Michael Gove, building safety and fire minister Stephen Greenhalgh, and shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy. Sadiq Khan tweeted: "Together, we will get the answers, justice and change that we need to protect communities in London and across the rest of our country."

Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster said, "we are grateful for the support of the communities and individuals that have sustained the bereaved and the survivors over the last five years; we meet in faith and hope looking to a better, safer, surer future."

Journalist Jon Snow spoke at the service to call for those responsible for the fire to face prosecution. Mr Snow said the fire speaks to the "grotesque inequality" in the UK. "Grenfell, set in the richest borough in Britain, speaks to the grotesque inequality with which our society has been riven", he said. "We must now confront the issues raised by the Grenfell disaster." Becoming emotional, the veteran reporter said "this was the worst domestic tragedy that I have had to report on in 50 years."

A spokeswoman for campaign group Justice 4 Grenfell said: "The first duty of any government is to protect the lives of its citizens. From the right to life and including the duty to provide adequate housing, these duties are enshrined in law and are where the government has and continues to fail."

Some family members of those who died in the fire refused to attend the service in protest over the abbey's refusal to stream the footage of the service live.

The afternoon saw a 72-second silence at nearby Westfield shopping centre and the laying of roses on the Innocent Victims' Memorial. Late afternoon a multi-faith memorial service was held at Grenfell Tower - attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - and thousands attended a silent walk from the Notting Hill Methodist Church, many wearing green