Met Police Submit All Grenfell Files as CPS Weighs Charges

Metropolitan Police investigators have submitted all 20 case files to the Crown Prosecution Service, opening the way for charging decisions over the Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people.

The files relate to 20 companies and organisations and 54 individuals. The CPS will consider charges including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety offences, fraud and fraud-related offences, and misconduct in public office.

The CPS has committed to making its charging decisions before the tenth anniversary of the disaster in June 2027.

What did the police say?

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth said: "This is a milestone moment in the police investigation into this devastating tragedy which took the lives of 72 people."

He confirmed the scale of the effort behind the files. "Our dedicated team of 220 investigators has worked incredibly hard to honour our commitment to the bereaved, survivors, residents and all those affected by the fire to meet this timescale," Southworth said.

Why has it taken nine years?

Southworth acknowledged the length of the process directly. "We appreciate, of course, it has taken nine years to get to this point. As we have said before, this is one of the most complex investigations ever undertaken by any UK law enforcement agency – the scale is truly enormous," he said.

He addressed the strain the timeline has placed on those awaiting answers. "While we know this has had a significant impact on those waiting for answers, it has necessarily taken this long to ensure our investigation is meticulous and presents the very best possible evidence to the CPS for charging decisions," Southworth said.

What charges are on the table?

The CPS will weigh a broad set of offences across the 20 organisations and 54 individuals named in the files:

• Corporate manslaughter
• Gross negligence manslaughter
• Health and safety offences
• Fraud and fraud-related offences
• Misconduct in public office

The breadth of the charge list signals that potential criminal liability could reach both corporate entities and individuals, spanning corporate failings and alleged misconduct in public office.

What happens next?

The decision now rests with the Crown Prosecution Service. Prosecutors must determine whether to bring charges against any of the 20 organisations and 54 individuals before June 2027, the tenth anniversary of the fire that killed 72 people.