Grenfell Tower at sunrise on Monday, June 13, a day before the fifth anniversary
(Picture: Getty Images)The Met today said it was “absolutely focused” on the criminal investigation into the Grenfell fire on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the tragedy.
Scotland Yard said it has 180 investigators working on the case examining whether charges including corporate manslaughter and fraud can be brought in connection with the blaze which ripped through the building in north Kensington, killing 72 people, on June 14, 2017.
The probe was launched after it was revealed that the cladding on the tower was flammable and the roles of 36 companies which were involved in the refurbishment of the tower is being examined.
However, the police have said they cannot make any criminal charges or reveal details of their investigation until a public inquiry into the tragedy has been completed. This has angered Campaign Group Justice for Grenfell who want prosecutors to bring charges before the lengthy inquiry comes to a close.
Ahead of the fifth anniversary of the deadly fire, Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy moved to reassure Londonersthe investigation was continuing apace.
He said: “Five years on from the Grenfell Tower fire the thoughts of all of us in the Met are with everyone affected, in particular those who lost loved ones, those who survived the devastating tragedy, those for whom Grenfell Tower was home.
“None of us can pretend to understand what it is like for those so deeply affected by the fire. They have my commitment that the Met remains absolutely focused on the criminal investigation, which is one of the largest and most complex investigations ever undertaken by the Met.
“Our investigation continues at pace. We have more than 180 dedicated investigators, working with international experts. They spent a year forensically examining the tower, have taken more than 9,000 witness statements and continue to work through over 130 million documents recovered from a wide range of companies and organisations who are linked to the tower, including its management and refurbishment.
“We are investigating a full range of offences including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, fraud and health and safety offences. Forty people have been interviewed under caution, many multiple times and more interviews under caution will take place.
“I recognise the frustrations of some about the significant length of this complex criminal investigation. We are in an unusual situation where our police investigation and the public inquiry are being conducted at the same time.
“The criminal investigation is independent of inquiry but, as we have said previously, the criminal investigation must take into account any findings or reports produced by the inquiry. Once we have fully examined the findings of the Phase 2 report we will present our evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service so they can consider charging decisions.”
The cause of the fire was a faulty fridge on the fourth floor of the building, a fire service investigation. Apart from the 72 who died 70 others were injured. The first phase of the public inquiry was held between June and December 2018. The second phase is ongoing.
