In London, survivors and families of victims of the Grenfell Tower fire are calling for criminal charges to be brought against those responsible for the tragedy that claimed 72 lives in 2017. The independent Grenfell Tower inquiry recently released a comprehensive 1,700-page report detailing how failings in government, construction, and firefighting led to the disaster, deeming it entirely avoidable.
The completion of the inquiry now paves the way for law enforcement to finalize their criminal investigation, which was paused to allow for a thorough understanding of the incident’s causes and prevention measures. The Metropolitan Police Service anticipates concluding its investigation by the end of next year, with the Crown Prosecution Service not expected to announce any charges until 2026 due to the extensive evidence and complexities involved.
The report highlights the exhaustive fact-finding mission undertaken, involving over 1,500 witnesses and 300,000 documents to compile the final report. Aside from the inquiry, police are looking into 58 suspects and 19 entities for potential charges such as corporate manslaughter, gross negligence, fraud, and misconduct in public office.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledge to ensure accountability for the failings identified in the report, with actions planned to address the issues raised. Starmer’s government committed to responding to all 58 recommendations from the inquiry within six months and to expedite the removal of flammable cladding identified as a key factor in the fire’s rapid spread at Grenfell Tower.
Despite government directives to remove hazardous cladding from residential buildings, progress has been slow due to financial disputes. With over 2,300 tall residential buildings yet to undergo cladding removal work, Starmer emphasized the need for swift action, stating that the pace of addressing unsafe cladding is inadequate and requires immediate intervention for change.
