WALTHAM Forest Council has rubbished a BBC investigation which questioned its record on ensuring the safety of tower block residents.

The exposé, based on a Freedom of Information Act disclosure and prompted by a fatal fire in Southwark, claimed 10 of the borough’s 21 tower blocks have not been assessed for fire risk.

However, the council has hit back, saying assessments have been carried out on every block since 2005 and all have been re-assessed in the last three months.

Cllr Marie Pye, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Waltham Forest Council treats the safety of residents with the utmost importance and wants to reassure tenants that all tower blocks in the borough have valid fire risk assessments.

“The Council is committed to improving the quality of housing in Waltham Forest. Ensuring all homes are safe is a vital part of that commitment.”