Glasgow needs strategy to protect heritage from fire says MP

Paul Sweeney, Labour North East MP, said he was angry that the landmark building could go on fire a second time in four years.

Mr Sweeney spoke in the House of Commons during an urgent question raised by Glasgow Central SNP MP, Alison Thewliss, on the devastating fire.

He said the fire must be a catalyst for action from government otherwise important buildings will be lost.

Mr Sweeney said he suffered "profound grief" following the first fire in 2014.

He said: “Now to witness an even more severe conflagration consume this precious art nouveau masterpiece has left me both angry and incredulous that it could have happened again. What on earth has gone wrong here?”

The MP who visited the site in the wake of the blaze said the Mackintosh Building was a “true example of human genius”.

He called on the UK Government to instigate urgent action to prevent similar fates befalling other architectural treasures.

He said: “Given that Glasgow needs a more preventive, comprehensive strategy for preserving its ageing stock of Victorian architecture, much of which is vulnerable to fire, what plans do the Government have to support a review of the way that heritage buildings are managed and safeguarded, with fire prevention policy as a priority?”

Scottish Secretary, David Mundell, said: “I take on board the points he makes about safety issues in buildings.”

He said the UK Culture Secretary would respond to the specific points raised.

Mr Sweeney said the fire must be a “wake-up call” to Glasgow and the rest of the country.

He added: “We need to have a much more robust approach to protecting our amazing Victorian architectural legacy in Britain in the future or we will continue to see these tragic losses mount up as buildings of these ages continue to suffer degradation.

"Government at all levels, city, Scottish and British needs to step up to meet this challenge with radical and imaginative measures”.