Harrow Council's response to the fatal explosion in Stanley Road, South Harrow, was marred by poor communication, a lack of respect among staff and interference from councillors.

The blast on May 7, 2008 destroyed three houses and left Emmad Qureshi dead from a neck wound but a report into the way the authority dealt with the incident shows employees were rude to one another and raised residents' expectations too readily and that elected members circumvented the hierachy of management.

One anonymous officer from the adults and housing directorate admitted: "There was a definite 'inner' and 'outer' group at meetings. Insiders did use a language of their own and as a non-member I had a very uncomfortable feeling at times. For the 'inner' group the provision of the rest of the council's services appeared to be irrelevant.

"People were given unrealistic expectations about what the council would or could provide for them. Inappropriate judgements were made by officers and communicated in an unacceptable manner."

She added: "We had moments when behaviour between colleagues lacked respect. Member involvement was too operational in managing the incident."

A children's services representative commented: "I was only invited to the first silver group meeting by chance and my arrival in the meeting was met with a very direct question about who I was rather than what services I had come to represent.

"The management of key messages between the boardroom and the site were not always well co-ordinated.

"There was unnecessary confusion, duplication and poor communication with residents as a result of some officers and members making promises, agreeing bookings and giving undertakings about housing needs with refrerring to the housing department first."