Charges are considered over burning of Grenfell effigy

PROSECUTORS are considering whether to bring criminal charges against a group of men filmed burning an effigy of Grenfell Tower.

The Metropolitan Police passed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) around 10 days ago and a decision will be made “in due course”, it emerged yesterday.

Six men were arrested and a seventh interviewed under caution over the video, which sparked outrage when it was posted online in November.

A total of 72 people died as a result of the tragedy at the west London block on June 14, 2017.

The clip showed a model depicting Grenfell Tower being placed over a naked flame and set alight to a cacophony of laughter.

During the footage, a person can be heard saying “Didn’t it start from the 10th floor, though?”, while others add “Help me! Help me!” and “Jump out the window!”

A CPS spokesman confirmed it is “considering the available evidence and will make a decision in due course on whether anyone should be charged with any criminal offences”.

The six men who were arrested were a 19-year-old, a 46-yearold and a 49-year-old, all from South Norwood, a 49-year-old from Lambeth, a 55-year-old from Beckenham, and another 19-year-old.

Bobbi Connell (19) and his father Clifford Smith (49) were among the group who handed themselves in to police.