The short version
- The Metropolitan Police submitted an evidence file to prosecutors covering 20 organizations and 54 individuals involved in the Grenfell Tower fire.
- London Fire Brigade is among those facing potential criminal action, following a public inquiry that cited serious shortcomings in its emergency response.
- Prosecutors are expected to make charging decisions before the tenth anniversary of the disaster in 2027, though victims' groups have criticized the lengthy timeline.
The Metropolitan Police Service has formally submitted an evidence file to the Crown Prosecution Service regarding the Grenfell Tower fire, marking a significant step toward potential criminal accountability for those involved. The submission includes details concerning twenty organizations and fifty-four individuals who may face charges related to the deaths of seventy-two people in the 2017 disaster. Among the entities named is the London Fire Brigade, which has confirmed it is now subject to possible criminal action as part of this broader investigation.
The file was handed over earlier this week, initiating a review process that will determine whether charges such as corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety violations, or fraud-related offenses are appropriate. The Crown Prosecution Service has indicated that any decisions regarding prosecutions will be finalized before the tenth anniversary of the fire in 2027. This timeline has drawn criticism from bereaved families and survivors, who argue that nearly nine years have passed without criminal accountability for the loss of life.
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith stated that he welcomes the progress in the investigation process. In a formal statement, the brigade reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating fully with prosecutors, noting that it has sought to do so throughout Operation Northleigh, the Metropolitan Police’s long-running inquiry into the incident. Smith emphasized that the brigade remembers the seventy-two victims and remains committed to supporting those whose lives were permanently altered by the tragedy.
The inclusion of the fire brigade in the prosecution file follows a public inquiry that identified significant failures in its response to the emergency. Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who chaired the first phase of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, condemned the brigade’s actions, citing serious shortcomings and systemic failures. He concluded that fewer lives would have been lost if the fire service had taken different actions earlier during the blaze. The London Fire Brigade has since accepted these findings and stated that it has implemented all recommendations from both phases of the inquiry.
Beyond the fire service, other key entities are also facing potential prosecution. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the local authority responsible for the tower, could face charges including corporate manslaughter and violations of health and safety regulations. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which oversees building safety standards, is also among those referred to prosecutors. Most of the other organizations involved in the case have not yet been publicly named, leaving the full scope of potential liability unclear.
The fire began in a fourth-floor kitchen and spread rapidly up the exterior of the building due to combustible cladding. A public inquiry determined that the disaster was avoidable and attributed the catastrophe to a chain of failures across both government bodies and private sector entities. These systemic issues allowed unsafe materials to be used and regulatory standards to be ignored, ultimately leading to the rapid escalation of the blaze.
Grenfell United, a group representing bereaved families and survivors, has expressed frustration with the duration of the legal process. The organization stated that it wants those responsible for the deaths to face justice and potentially serve time in prison if found guilty. While the submission of the evidence file represents a procedural milestone, the actual outcome of the prosecutions remains uncertain as prosecutors evaluate the strength of the case against each individual and entity.
The investigation, known as Operation Northleigh, began shortly after the fire occurred in June 2017 and has involved hundreds of officers over nearly a decade. The complexity of the case stems from the wide range of actors involved, including local government, national regulators, construction firms, and emergency services. As the Crown Prosecution Service reviews the file, the focus will be on determining whether the evidence meets the high threshold required for criminal convictions in such a multifaceted disaster.
London Fire Brigade continues to work with partners across government and the fire and rescue sector to ensure that lessons from the tragedy are integrated into current practices. Firefighters regularly participate in annual commemorative events near the tower, standing alongside justice campaigners. While the brigade asserts that it has learned from the past failures, the potential for criminal charges underscores the severity of the errors identified by investigators and the ongoing demand for accountability from the community affected.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗London Fire Brigade named in Met's evidence file on Grenfell fire
