Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation faces manslaughter charge

The Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) has confirmed it is among the organisations facing a corporate manslaughter charge related to the Grenfell Tower fire. The Metropolitan Police has forwarded evidence files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concerning the 2017 disaster in North Kensington.

Detectives have submitted 20 files to the CPS, detailing evidence against 54 individuals and 20 companies. These referrals are understood to include potential charges of corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety violations, fraud, and misconduct in public office. The KCTMO managed the Royal Borough of Kensington’s housing stock, including Grenfell Tower, and was responsible for its upkeep, maintenance, and fire safety measures.

A spokesperson for KCTMO stated, "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." The organisation added that it "remain[s] 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." KCTMO confirmed it would continue to cooperate with authorities.

Council also referred to CPS

Kensington and Chelsea Council has also been referred to the CPS. The council faces allegations of corporate manslaughter and breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The council has emphasised that the CPS will independently review the evidence to determine whether charges should be brought.

Files relating to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have also been sent to the CPS regarding a potential breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, according to a cabinet minister. The CPS has committed to making charging decisions before June 2027, the 10th anniversary of the fire. Trials are not anticipated to commence before 2029.

Families of victims and survivors have expressed frustration over the time taken to achieve justice. 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."