Grenfell Tower fire: 54 individuals and 20 organisations may face charges

Nine years after the Grenfell Tower fire, the Metropolitan Police has submitted 20 files of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for review. These files relate to potential charges for 54 individuals and 20 organisations in connection with the blaze in North Kensington, west London, which claimed 72 lives.

The potential offences under consideration include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety offences, fraud, and misconduct in public office. The CPS will independently examine the evidence to determine whether to bring charges. A public inquiry previously concluded that all the deaths were preventable, stating that authorities had significantly failed the tower's residents.

Organisations Referred to CPS

Kensington and Chelsea Council confirmed it has been referred by the Met Police to the CPS. The council faces potential charges including corporate manslaughter, and offences under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and the Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005. Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, stated that the council's thoughts remain with the bereaved and survivors, and expressed hope that the legal process would provide answers. She added that the council had accepted its failings and would continue to cooperate with authorities.

A file concerning the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has also been referred to the CPS. This referral relates to a potential breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, according to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner. Ms Rayner acknowledged the seriousness of the development and pledged appropriate diligence in the response. She noted that the Grenfell Tower Inquiry had highlighted profound failures within the building safety system.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry's final report, published in September 2024, detailed how warnings from earlier fires were not heeded by those in positions of responsibility. The report indicated that by 2016, the government was aware of the risks associated with combustible cladding and insulation on high-rise buildings but failed to act. It also suggested that a drive for deregulation years before the fire led to safety concerns being disregarded, despite the fatal Lakanal House fire in 2009.

The Crown Prosecution Service has stated its intention to make charging decisions before June 14, 2027, which marks the 10th anniversary of the Grenfell Tower disaster.