The Metropolitan Police have submitted evidence files concerning 20 companies and 54 individuals to the Crown Prosecution Service for charging decisions regarding the grenfell fire prosecution,. The submission outlines potential charges including corporate manslaughter following the 2017 west London disaster.

Scale of the evidence

During the inquiry, investigators examined the roles of more than 15,000 people and 700 organisations. The Crown Prosecution Service received 12,600 pages of evidence and 14,700 witness statements,. A secure warehouse now holds over 27,000 exhibits, ranging from building materials to small hardware components. Additionally, scale replica sections of the tower are being built at a cost of £2m to prepare for potential court proceedings.

Potential charges and timeline

The possible criminal offences under consideration include:

• •corporate manslaughter
• •gross negligence manslaughter
• •health and safety offences
• •fraud and fraud-related offences
• •misconduct in public office

A leading prosecutor has been appointed to head any potential court cases that emerge from the investigation. Frank Ferguson, who leads the special crime and counter-terrorism division at the Crown Prosecution Service, described the submission as an important step and acknowledged the enduring impact of the event. He also expressed confidence that the process would be completed and charging decisions made before the 10th anniversary of the disaster on 14 June 2027.

Reactions to the submission

Kevin Southworth, deputy assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, said:

Southworth acknowledged that it has taken nine years to reach this stage. He characterised the probe as one of the most complex ever undertaken by a UK law enforcement agency, noting the time was necessary to ensure meticulous work and present the best possible evidence,.

Grenfell United expects the police and prosecutors to do everything possible to advance the case, emphasising that families have waited long enough for those responsible to face justice,,. The campaign group added that if individuals are found guilty of crimes costing lives, they want to see them behind bars, stating this is the only way to show real consequences,.

Survivors and politicians have called for justice to be delivered rapidly before the 10th anniversary of the disaster. Joe Powell, the Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater, urged that everything possible must be done to ensure justice is delivered as swiftly as possible.

London mayor Sadiq Khan thanked investigators for painstakingly examining thousands of pieces of evidence. Labour MP David Lammy, who labelled it corporate manslaughter the morning after the fire, expressed pleasure at the development but disappointment at the delay,.