Statement from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy five years on from the Grenfell Tower fire

As we approach the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy 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.”