Prime Minister Theresa May received criticism over her response to a fatal fire that engulfed a 24-storey block of flats – Grenfell Tower – in west London. Media reports say the death toll could rise to around 70 people, with more left homeless. Former Conservative minister Michael Portillo accused Mrs May of failing to show ‘humanity’ when she did not meet with survivors. Whereas she met police and firefighters during a private visit, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and London Mayor Sadiq Khan were seen speaking to victims. Mrs May later visited victims recovering in hospital.

The DUP held talks with Theresa May around a deal to that will see the party’s 10 MPs support a minority Conservative government. Mrs May also met separately with Northern Ireland’s other main parties at Downing Street. After, she said their focus was on restoring devolved government at Stormont before the 29 June deadline set by the Secretary of State, James Brokenshire.

A former Scottish government minister, Marco Biagi, said that the DUP leader Arlene Foster tried to restrict Scotland’s same-sex marriage laws. In a tweet, Mr Biagi stated that Mrs Foster wrote to the Scottish government in 2015 asking ministers to bar same-sex couples from Northern Ireland from converting their civil partnerships into full marriages. Mr Biagi rejected the request. He disclosed the letter after it became clear that Theresa May has come to rely on the DUP to support her government.

Chancellor Philip Hammond criticised how the Conservatives fought the general election campaign, saying there should have been more focus on the economy and the party’s record on public finances whilst in government. He said he was unhappy with the low-key role he was given during the campaign. He told BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that although people were tired of the “long slog” of spending cuts, “We have to live within our means and more borrowing… is not the solution.”

Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar assumed the role of Taoiseach, making him the youngest person (aged 39) ever to hold the office. In the Dáil, Mr Varadkar was nominated by outgoing Irish PM Enda Kenny who said Mr Varadkar represents a “modern, diverse and inclusive Ireland… It is an Ireland where each person can fulfil their potential and live their dreams.” On economic topics, however, Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin said Mr Varadkar’s views would be significantly more right-wing than those of the centre-ground consensus.