Britain's high-rise tower blocks dating from the 1960s and 1970s could be torn down after the deadly fire that engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower, London Mayor Sadiq Khan says.
Writing in the Observer newspaper, Khan says it may well be the "defining outcome of this tragedy that the worst mistakes" of that era become a thing of the past.
Thirty people have been confirmed dead following the devastating inferno in north Kensington last week, with a further 28 missing presumed dead.
Khan said images of the 1970's building being ravaged by fire "should be forever seared into our nation's collective memory".
"Little can compare in recent times to a tragedy on this scale - the response from the local authority has simply not been good enough. Residents feel abandoned by those with the power - the council and government.
"This is a national tragedy with national consequences ... we must get to the truth.
"Those who mock health and safety, regulations and red tape need to take a hard look at the consequences of cutting these and ask themselves whether Grenfell Tower is a price worth paying."
"The greatest legacy of this tragedy may well end up being the skyline of our towns and cities.
"Nowadays, we would not dream of building towers to the standards of the 1970s, but their inhabitants still have to live with that legacy.
"It may well be the defining outcome of this tragedy that the worst mistakes of the 1960s and 1970s are systematically torn down."
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