220 detectives have been working to gather evidence, which the police force now feels is strong enough to demonstrate potential wrongdoing
Of the 77 potential Grenfell criminal charges, 57 are individuals, while the remaining 20 are companies.
Scotland Yard has confirmed that it will send a series of evidence files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) later this year, before any decisions are made on whether to hold criminal trials.
Final decisions are expected in 2027
The offences under consideration include corporate gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety breaches, misconduct in public office, and fraud.
2027 will mark a full decade since the fire, which killed 72 people. Many survivors and friends/relatives of victims will welcome the news, as a spokesman for Grenfell United called the news “an important step in a process that has already taken far too long.”
Garry Moncrieff, lead investigator, said: “It’s our job to make sure that we do a fair, thorough, and comprehensive investigation, so that charging decisions can be taken, and that fairness runs throughout everything that we do.
“What I can say is that we have gathered strong evidence, and that evidence is sufficient, that we will be submitting files to the Crown Prosecution Service for them to make charging decisions.”
Ross Wilson, partner at Spencer West LLP, said: “Having been involved in phase 2 of the Grenfell Inquiry, it is not surprising that criminal charges against those held to be responsible would eventually happen. The vast amount of evidence and scrutiny by the Inquiry has assured this would be a natural development in the process. Those that appear to have been shortlisted by New Scotland Yard are sure to be watching with bated breath.
“This criminal law development also reflects the Government’s renewed sentiment towards holding responsible parties (including manufacturers) to account from a civil law perspective. The reference to the Remediation Bill in the King’s Speech means there will likely be a legal requirement that all unsafe buildings should be remediated by 2029 and 2031 (for 18m+ and 11m+ respectively). This means that manufactures, developers, freeholders, contractors etc will also be watching with bated breath as the already overstretched remediation sector becomes saturated even further. It will be interesting to see how these responsible parties cope with hard deadlines being imposed upon them and/or whether remedial action will actually be undertaken by Homes England or local authorities if required.”
The Grenfell Inquiry was completed in 2024
In February last year, the government gave its official response to the phase 2 Grenfell Inquiry report, confirming that the remains of the tower would be demolished due to safety concerns, and a new memorial placed on site.
Then-deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, said at the time: “The final report exposed in stark and devastating detail the shocking industry behaviour and wider failures that led to the fire, and the deep injustices endured by the bereaved, survivors and residents.
“We are acting on all of the inquiry’s findings, and today set out our full response, detailing the tough action we are taking to drive change and reform the system to ensure no community will ever have to face a tragedy like Grenfell again.
“That means greater accountability, stronger regulation and putting residents at the heart of decision-making. We must deliver the fundamental change required. We owe that to the Grenfell community, to the country and to the memory of those who lost their lives.”
The government then also committed to:
- Establish a single regulator for construction who would oversee everything from construction products, fire testing, building control, and all aspects of fire safety and report to the government
- Bringing fire safety under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Reviewing and revising the definition of “higher-risk building” in law, as well reviewing as Approved Document B
- Legally requiring fire risk assessors to have their competence certified
Consulting on a new college of fire and rescue to raise the standard of training of firefighters - Implementing a new residential personal emergency evacuation plan policy to improve the fire safety and evacuation of vulnerable and disabled residents in high-rise and high-risk residential buildings
Read some industry reactions from the time here.
