Joe Delaney speaks after leaving the opening session last September of the inquiry into the Grenfell disaster, in which 71 people died

A leading Grenfell activist is claiming up to £300 a week in food allowances and has a room in a four-star hotel paid for by taxpayers despite regularly using the home he claims to be unable to live in.

Joe Delaney, 38, who was not a resident of the tower, is among the most vocal advocates for survivors of the blaze and represents former Grenfell residents on a key Kensington and Chelsea council committee. He routinely criticises the authorities in the national media and has branded council chiefs “psychopaths”.

In the eight months since the tragedy last June, in which 71 people died, he has described himself as “homeless” and told outlets ranging from Reuters to Russia Today that he is still living in emergency