The Metropolitan Police have submitted files of evidence relating to 20 companies and 54 individuals to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in connection with the Grenfell Tower fire. Detectives are asking prosecutors to consider charges including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety offences, fraud and fraud-related offences, and misconduct in public office.
The blaze, which occurred in June 2017 in North Kensington, west London, claimed the lives of 72 people. A public inquiry previously found the disaster was avoidable. The CPS has stated that charging decisions will be made before the 10th anniversary of the fire, which falls on June 14, 2027.
Investigation milestone after nine years
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth described the referral as a “milestone moment” in the police investigation. He noted that the dedicated team of 220 investigators has worked to honour commitments to the bereaved, survivors, residents and all those affected by the fire.
Southworth acknowledged that it has taken nine years to reach this point, calling the investigation “one of the most complex investigations ever undertaken by any UK law enforcement agency.” He added that the scale of the inquiry is “truly enormous” and that the time taken has been necessary to ensure the evidence presented to the CPS is meticulous and of the highest possible quality.
Scale of the evidence gathered
As part of the inquiry, investigators have examined the role of more than 15,000 people and 700 organisations. They have submitted 12,600 pages of evidence to the CPS. A total of 14,700 statements have been taken, and more than 27,000 exhibits—including cladding, insulation, doors, windows and other building components down to screws, nuts and bolts—are stored in a secure warehouse.
In anticipation of potential court proceedings, scale replica parts of the tower are being constructed at a cost of £2 million.
Public inquiry findings
The public inquiry into the fire found that the disaster was preceded by “decades of failure” by governments and the building industry to act on the dangers of flammable materials on high-rise buildings. It also concluded that victims, the bereaved and survivors were “badly failed” through incompetence, dishonesty and greed.
In his final report in 2024, inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick said the tower block was covered in combustible products because of the “systematic dishonesty” of firms that made and sold the cladding and insulation. He also condemned the “deliberate and sustained” manipulation of fire safety testing, misrepresentation of test data and misleading of the market.
The referral to the CPS marks a significant step toward potential legal accountability for the companies and individuals involved, with charging decisions expected before the 10th anniversary of the fire.
