Police to seek criminal charges against 77 companies and people over Grenfell fire

"Scotland Yard has said it hopes to bring criminal charges against 77 companies and individuals for the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, in which 72 people died. The lead investigator, Garry Moncrieff, said his team of 220 detectives had gathered strong evidence of potential wrongdoing. Police said they were sending a series of files of evidence to prosecutors later this year seeking a decision on whether criminal trials should be held."

"Police say files will be sent to the CPS seeking charging decisions about 57 individuals and 20 companies. The Crown Prosecution Service said it expected to make decisions on charges by June 2027, the 10th anniversary of the disaster. It emerged that there was no prospect of any individual or company appearing in court until next year at the very earliest. It is more likely no trial would get before a jury until 2028, 11 years after fire tore through the west London tower block, or possibly even later."

"Offences being considered include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, fraud, and health and safety offences, police have said. Also under consideration is misconduct in public office but police declined to say whether that included any past or current political figures. The Met investigation is examining the causes of the fire for criminal culpability along with how the tower block came to be in such a condition that the blaze could spread so widely and quickly, with catastrophic consequences."

"Moncrieff 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."

Scotland Yard aims to bring criminal charges against 77 companies and individuals connected to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people. A team of 220 detectives has gathered evidence and will send multiple evidence files to the Crown Prosecution Service for charging decisions later in the year. The CPS expects to decide on charges by June 2027, the 10th anniversary of the disaster. Police will seek decisions covering 57 individuals and 20 companies. Potential offences include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, fraud, and health and safety offences, with misconduct in public office also considered. Trials are unlikely before 2028 at the earliest. The investigation examines both fire causes and how the building condition allowed rapid spread. A public inquiry concluded in 2024 found widespread construction failures.

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