57 individuals and 20 companies could be prosecuted over Grenfell fire: Met Police

Possible charges include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, misconduct in public office, fraud and health and safety matters.

The 2017 inferno caused the death of 72 people and police said the subsequent investigation was one of the longest and most complex ever undertaken in the UK.

Police expect to submit all files for charging decisions to the Crown Prosecution Service by September.

Work has started on next steps should charges be brought, including plans to build a replica of elements of the tower to assist potential future juries.

Deputy assistant commissioner Kevin Southworth said: ”The Grenfell Tower fire remains one of the most complex investigations ever undertaken by any UK law enforcement agency. Our investigation began in June 2017 and has continued relentlessly since.

“We have been working in close partnership with the CPS for many years already and are on schedule to submit all files this autumn. The CPS will then consider them in detail to make charging decisions and are confident they can do so before the 10th anniversary of the fire.

“While our timescales are on track, we know for the bereaved, survivors and residents, who remain at the heart of everything we do, it has been a very long wait to get to this point.”

The police said 220 investigators had worked on the Grenfell case and had examined the roles of 15,000 individuals and 700 organisations as suspects for criminal offences.

Investigators searched 165m electronic files for evidence and examined the 1,700 pages of the final report of the Grenfell public inquiry.

Some 14,400 statements have been taken and more than 27,000 exhibits are stored in a warehouse, including cladding, insulation, doors, windows and other parts of the building, down to screws, nut and bolts.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “As the files are submitted, we will consider all the available evidence carefully, independently and in line with our legal test.

“We are committed to carrying out that task thoroughly, fairly and as expeditiously as possible, recognising the significance of these decisions for all those affected.”

DAC Southworth said: “The work on the replica in no way presumes charges will be brought which is entirely a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service to make independent decisions based on the evidence files we submit. But it will take some time to construct and it is sensible to be prepared.”

Mark Smulian