The Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) has confirmed it is facing a corporate manslaughter charge over the Grenfell Tower fire. The Metropolitan Police has sent 20 files of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) relating to 54 individuals and 20 companies in connection with the fire in North Kensington, west London, in June 2017, which claimed the lives of 72 people.
KCTMO confirms referral
In a statement, a spokesman for KCTMO said: “Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) can confirm that it is one of the organisations referred by the Metropolitan Police to the Crown Prosecution Service in connection with the Grenfell Tower investigation. “We remain acutely conscious of the terrible impact of the Grenfell Tower fire on the bereaved, survivors, their relatives and the wider Grenfell community, and continue to offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to all those affected. “We will continue to co-operate with the authorities as the process continues.”
The referral by Scotland Yard to the CPS in relation to the KCTMO is understood to relate to three categories of potential charges, including corporate manslaughter. The other two are an alleged offence under section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, following an alleged breach of section 3 of that Act, and an offence or offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Residuary body role
KCTMO now exists solely as a residuary body to support and be accountable in relation to legal proceedings and other matters arising from the Grenfell Tower tragedy. It handed back responsibility for day-to-day housing and related support services to Kensington and Chelsea Council at the end of February 2018.
The 20 files submitted by the Met Police, in relation to the 20 companies or public bodies, and 54 individuals ask the CPS to consider charges including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety offences, fraud and fraud-related offences and misconduct in public office.
Council and government referrals
Kensington and Chelsea Council has told how it had been referred to the CPS for alleged offences of corporate manslaughter and under Section 3 of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Contrary to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The local authority stressed that the CPS would now independently review the evidence to decide whether to bring charges.
Cabinet minister Angela Rayner has said that a file relating to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has also been referred to the CPS in relation to a potential breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Timeline and criticism
The CPS has pledged to make charging decisions before the 10th anniversary of the fire in June 2027. However, trials are not expected to start before 2029, 12 years after the blaze. Families of victims, survivors and other local residents have criticised the length of time being taken to bring people to justice over the scandal, a view echoed by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Joe Delaney, of the Justice4Grenfell campaign, told The Standard: “Once again we have had a re-announcement of an announcement that we should have had nine years ago. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
The public inquiry into the deadly blaze found that it had been preceded by “decades of failure” by governments and the building industry to act on the dangers of flammable materials on high-rise buildings.
