Five years after the Grenfell Tower fire killed 72 people, families are still waiting for justice. A public inquiry has detailed the failures that led to the disaster, but a separate criminal investigation, Operation Northleigh, is ongoing and could take years to conclude.
The inquiry, led by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, has heard evidence about the flammable cladding and other failures. However, witnesses are protected from prosecution due to a deal with the attorney-general, meaning the inquiry cannot lead directly to prison sentences.
Police are investigating potential corporate manslaughter charges against the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the tenant management organisation (TMO). Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy says the investigation is one of the largest and most complex ever.
Karim Mussilhy, who lost his uncle Hesham Rahman, says nothing should be done with the tower until those responsible are jailed. The government has yet to decide on the tower's future, with a memorial likely after the fifth anniversary.
Experts warn that any criminal trials may not begin until 2024 or later, meaning a decade-long wait for justice is possible. The inquiry's final report is expected next year, but it will not result in convictions.
