Met Police Hand Grenfell Files to CPS, Seeking Charges Against 54 Individuals and 20 Entities
The Metropolitan Police has submitted its final investigation files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, seeking charges against 54 individuals and 20 organizations. The referral includes potential offenses such as corporate manslaughter, gross negligence, fraud, and misconduct in public office. While the CPS aims to make charging decisions before the disaster’s 10th anniversary in June 2027, the process has faced criticism for its nine-year duration. Key entities referred include the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) and the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the latter of which benefits from Crown immunity and cannot be prosecuted but may face formal censure. The investigation, known as Operation Northleigh, analyzed over 15,000 people and 700 organizations, resulting in the submission of 12,600 pages of evidence. Survivors and bereaved families have expressed mixed reactions, acknowledging the milestone while demanding swift and decisive justice to prevent further delays.