Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have reacted with anger and frustration to an announcement from the Metropolitan Police that they do not expect to bring criminal charges against anyone until the latter part of 2021 – over four years after the tragedy which killed 72 people.
The Met said the second phase of the public inquiry would have to complete before they can send any files to the Crown Prosecution Service. Although the Police have interviewed many people under caution, they have not made any arrests. The public inquiry itself is ongoing – phase one which focused on the night of the fire (14 June 2017) was completed just before the end of 2018 with the chairman expected to issue a report in the next month or two. Phase two focussing on the causes of the fire and events leading up to it, is formally expected to open late this year and to run throughout the whole of 2020.
Natasha Elcock, chair of survivors group Grenfell United, responded to the Met’s announcement by saying:
“The week after a fire that killed our loved ones and neighbours, Theresa May promised us justice. Justice for us means accountability and change. The police have said no charges will be brought until at least 2021 and we see little real change.
“We wait month after month, our lives on hold for some kind of justice and progress. It is extremely frustrating and disheartening to be told this will be our way of life for years to come. On this timeline Theresa May risks leaving office without a trial starting. Today we have to ask if Theresa May will be the prime minister that brought us justice and change, or the prime minister who failed us?”
By Patrick Mooney, Editor