The Grenfell Inquiry has confirmed that it will publish the final part of its report on 4 September.
Although initially expected in late 2023, the inquiry has repeatedly pushed back its publication citing complexities around one of the inquiry’s rules requiring notification of those who may be subject to criticism.
Yesterday (22 May), the Metropolitan Police issued an update on the criminal investigation that runs parallel to the inquiry.
A total of 19 companies and 58 individuals are being investigated as suspects as part of the criminal investigation into the Grenfell tragedy.
Although the criminal investigation is independent of the inquiry, the police must fully consider the report’s findings in the context of the ongoing and complex criminal investigation.
Offences being investigated include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, fraud and health and safety breaches.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it hopes to be in a position to make prosecution decisions on the Grenfell Tower fire by the end of 2026.
The phases of the report
The inquiry began on 21 May 2018 with hearings for phase 1, which focused on the causes of the events that led to the fire. That phase finished on 12 December 2018 and it was nearly a year before chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick published his four-volume phase 1 report, on 30 October 2019.
Phase 2, which examines the causes of the events of the night of the Grenfell Tower disaster, began hearings in 2020. They continued throughout 2020 and 2021, despite disruptions caused by Covid-19.
The Grenfell Inquiry said that further information about the arrangements for publication will be published in due course.
Core participants of the inquiry (568 individuals and 30 organisations) will receive copies of the report under embargo a day before its publication.
The Grenfell Tower fire killed 72 people and destroyed the high-rise in what was one of the worst disasters in post-war Britain.
