Scotland Yard has announced it will seek criminal charges against 57 individuals and 20 companies in connection with the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people in June 2017. Police say they have gathered 'strong evidence' of potential wrongdoing and will send files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) later this year for charging decisions.
The lead investigator, Garry Moncrieff, stated that a team of 220 detectives has compiled evidence sufficient to submit to prosecutors. The CPS expects to make decisions by June 2027, the 10th anniversary of the disaster. However, any trials are unlikely to begin before 2028, meaning justice could take over a decade.
Offences under consideration include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, fraud, and health and safety violations. Misconduct in public office is also being examined, though police declined to specify if this involves political figures. The investigation has cost £150 million so far, and a £2 million replica of the tower will be built to aid any jury.
The public inquiry, led by retired judge Martin Moore-Bick, concluded in 2024 that the deaths were 'all avoidable' due to failures in construction, regulation, and government. Survivor groups have expressed anger over delays, with Grenfell Next of Kin stating there is a 'complete breakdown in trust' and that the inquiry was prioritised over criminal accountability.
