Grenfell investigation: 20 organisations, 54 individuals face potential charges

An evidence file detailing potential criminal charges related to the Grenfell Tower fire has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) by the Metropolitan Police. The file concerns 20 organisations and 54 individuals, according to information confirmed by the Met. The potential charges being considered include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety offences, and fraud-related offences.

Organisations Named in File

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The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has confirmed it is among the organisations facing possible criminal action. In a statement, the LFB said its commissioner had been notified by the Metropolitan Police that a file had been submitted to the CPS in respect of the brigade. The LFB stated that it welcomed the progress in the investigation and reaffirmed its commitment to full cooperation throughout Operation Northleigh, the Met's investigation.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) is also named as facing potential prosecution. As reported by BBC London, the local authority could be prosecuted for corporate manslaughter, a breach of section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and a breach of the Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which oversees building safety, has also been referred to the CPS.

Investigation Timeline and Next Steps

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Operation Northleigh, the Metropolitan Police's investigation into the fire that killed 72 people in June 2017, began shortly after the event and has involved hundreds of officers. The CPS has stated that any charging decisions will be made before the 10th anniversary of the disaster in 2027. The fire, which started in a fourth-floor flat, spread rapidly up the exterior of the building due to combustible cladding. A public inquiry previously found the fire to be avoidable, citing a series of failures across government and the private sector.

London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said he welcomed the progress in the investigation and remembered the 72 victims. He added that the LFB had accepted the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and implemented all its recommendations. Grenfell United, a group representing bereaved families and survivors, has previously expressed criticism regarding the pace of the investigation, stating that it has taken over nine years for criminal accountability to be considered.