The Grenfell Tower public inquiry, chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, has today published its final report, which examines the causes of the fire, that took the lives of 72 people and has been described as the deadliest fire in the UK since 1988. The report also includes how the building came to be in a condition which allowed the blaze to spread.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: “The publication of today’s inquiry report is a significant milestone for those deeply affected by the tragedy. The thoughts of the Met are especially with the bereaved, survivors and residents as well as the wider Grenfell community. We remember with much sadness all those who lost their lives.
“The report is direct, comprehensive and reaches clear conclusions.
“Our police investigation is independent of the public inquiry. It operates under a different legal framework and so we cannot simply use the report’s findings as evidence to bring charges. To secure justice for those who died and all those affected by the fire we must examine the report – line by line – alongside the evidence from the criminal investigation. As I said previously, this will take us at least 12-18 months. This will lead to the strongest possible evidence being presented to the Crown Prosecution Service so they can make charging decisions.
“I can’t pretend to imagine the impact of such a long police investigation on the bereaved and survivors, but we have one chance to get our investigation right. We will be thorough and diligent in our investigation while moving as swiftly as possible. We owe that to those who died and all those affected by the tragedy.”
The Grenfell Tower fire took place in 2017 in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block of flats in North Kensington, West London. 72 people lost their lives while 223 escaped and more than 70 were injured. The deadly fire prompted a 6-year investigation into the incident after an inquiry was ordered by Prime Minister Theresa May.
The fire was a result of several factors including unsafe building materials and poor management. The inquiry found “systematic dishonesty” from the corporations involved in making and selling the flammable cladding that was found in the building, and in several other buildings that suffered fires. The government was also blamed for “decades of failure” by not paying enough attention to issues after being informed of them.
No criminal charges have been made yet.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke about the injustice faced by those affected by the fire.
“I want to say very clearly, on behalf of the country you have been let down so badly, before, during and in the aftermath of this tragedy,” he said. “It should never have happened.
“The country failed to discharge its most fundamental duty to protect you and your loved ones. And I am deeply sorry.”
