JACOB Rees-Mogg has been forced to apologise for his "crass and insensitive comments" about the victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

The Leader of the Commons suggested those inside the building should have shown "common sense" and ignored fire service guidance not to leave the burning tower block.

Speaking on LBC about the public inquiry report into the blaze, Rees-Mogg discussed London Fire Brigade's "stay-put" policy, which the report said cost lives.

He said: "If you just ignore what you're told and leave you are so much safer.

"I think if either of us were in a fire, whatever the fire brigade said, we would leave the burning building.

"It just seems the common sense thing to do, and it is such a tragedy that that didn't happen."

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Jeremy Corbyn then called on Rees-Mogg to apologise immediately.

He said: "What possesses someone to react to an entirely avoidable tragedy like Grenfell by saying the victims lacked common sense?

"People were terrified, many died trying to escape."

His sentiments were echoed by shadow housing minister, Sarah Jones.

She said: "These are appalling comments.

"Jacob Rees-Mogg should retract them and apologise immediately.

"Statements like this just go to show how out of touch the Tories are and are a glaring admission of their failure to act in the interest of the Grenfell victims and their families."

In a statement, Rees-Mogg has since apologised "profoundly", adding: “What I meant to say is that I would have also listened to the fire brigade’s advice to stay and wait at the time.

"However, with what we know now and with hindsight I wouldn’t and I don’t think anyone else would. “I would hate to upset the people of Grenfell if I was unclear in my comments.”