Grenfell cops: We’ll quiz bosses on manslaughter
Cops: ‘Reasonable grounds’ to suspect corporate crime
PROSECUTIONS for corporate manslaughter could be brought over the Grenfell Tower blaze.
The Met Police said last night there were “reasonable grounds” to suspect that the offence had been committed.
Chiefs from Kensington and Chelsea Council and the organisation that managed the 24-storey block in West London, where at least 80 people died, will now face grillings.
The move was revealed in a letter to survivors and families of victims.
It said: “There are reasonable grounds to suspect that each organisation may have committed the offence of corporate manslaughter.
“A senior representative of each will be formally interviewed by police.”
The probe has focused on Grenfell’s external cladding. Corporate manslaughter is committed by a firm or organisation, not an individual – meaning no one can be arrested.
Samia Badani, residents’ association chair for nearby Bramley House, said: “We needed reassurances, so it’s a step forward.” Labour MP David Lammy was pleased by the news but added: “The punishment for corporate manslaughter is a fine.
“A fine would not represent justice. I hope that the police and the CPS are considering charges of manslaughter caused by gross negligence.”
And Joe Delaney of the Grenfell Action Group said: “Unless people are put behind bars, people will never feel justice has been done.”
A number of officials resigned after the June 14 horror. Nicholas Holgate quit as council chief executive on June 22 at the request of Communities Secretary Sajid Javid.
Council leader Nicholas PagetBrown, 60, went days later. The same day Robert Black, chief executive of Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation, quit. And on July 2, deputy council leader Rock Feilding-Mellen, 38, left. He was also housing committee chair and oversaw Grenfell’s £10million refit.