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The media is not being told to cover up the death toll of the Grenfell Tower fire.

An online blog has claimed this week there is a 'D Notice' in effect, asking newspapers and broadcasting not to reveal the full scale of casualties of the disaster.

This is untrue.

The blog, which has been widely circulated on Facebook and Twitter, contained a string of speculation as to why the media had been "hushed up", none of which has any basis in fact whatsoever.

And it suggests the Home Office had something to hide by refusing to confirm or deny whether a D Notice had been issued.

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This is also untrue.

A spokesman said: “The Secretary of the Defence and Security Media Advisory Committee has not issued any D-Notice in relation to Grenfell.”

Here's what a D Notice is, what effect it has, and why the Home Office wouldn't be in a position to confirm whether there was one.

What is a D Notice?

A DSMA-Notice, usually referred to as a D Notice, is an official request issued to media editors asking them to refrain from publishing certain information.

The request can be made on the basis of national security.

It's an advisory request, and complying with it is voluntary and can't be enforced legally, but they are generally complied with.

Who issues D Notices?

D Notices are issued by the Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee, an independent body made up of government officials and representatives of broadcasters, press publisher associations and other media outlets.

While the body is funded by and housed within the Ministry of Defence, it operates independently - which is why the Home Office wouldn't have been in a position to confirm whether there was one or not.

(Image: PA)

Meanwhile, on Saturday afternoon London Police Commander Stuart Cundy said the number of people who are missing and feared dead is now 58.

But the figure could rise and includes the 30 who are already confirmed to have died.