Government ‘failed’, ‘dishonest’ firms & ‘indifferent’ landlords – damning report into Grenfell tragedy which killed 72
A DAMNING report has laid bare how the Grenfell Tower tragedy unfolded – singling out “dishonest” firms, “indifferent” landlords and the government’s “failure to act”.
The long-awaited report into the deaths of 72 people in a fire at Grenfell Tower has been published more than seven years after the blaze.
The lengthy document – the final report of the inquiry into the 2017 disaster – lays out in detail its findings around the actions of corporate firms in the construction industry, the local authority, London Fire Brigade and government.
The report reveals:
- Residents ‘abandoned’ and ‘utterly helpless’
- Landlords saw fire safety as ‘inconvenience’
- ‘Defective’ guidance on fire tests
- ‘Systematic dishonesty’ of building firms
- Safety ‘ignored and disregarded’
- All 72 deaths avoidable
- Some victims died before flames reached them
- Government ignored warnings
- Campaigners say ‘Justice not delivered’
Families of those killed have insisted it must be a “landmark report” which prompts widescale change after what was described as a “spider’s web of blame” was spun during inquiry hearings.
A report in 2019, from the first phase of the inquiry, concluded the tower’s cladding did not comply with building regulations and was the “principal” reason for the rapid and “profoundly shocking” spread of the blaze.
This final report, which follows further hearings on the tower’s 2016 refurbishment, presents conclusions on how the west London block of flats came to be in a condition which allowed the flames to spread so quickly.
Dame Judith Hackitt, who led an independent review into building regulations after the Grenfell fire, described it as “really concerning” that so many people are still living in uncertainty and fear about the safety of their homes.
Number 10 said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had, at Tuesday’s Cabinet, said the Dagenham fire was a further reminder of the importance of learning lessons from Grenfell to ensure mistakes made then never happen again.
The Fire Brigades Union has said the Grenfell fire “was a crime caused by deregulation and institutional failings at the highest level”.
The final hearing of the second phase of the inquiry took place in November 2022, with families having previously spoken of their long wait and continued fight for justice.
The report’s findings could ramp up pressure on police and prosecutors to make speedier progress on getting people before the courts – something many bereaved and survivors have said must happen for justice to be served.
In May, the Metropolitan Police said their investigators need until the end of 2025 to finalise their inquiry, and prosecutors will then need a year to decide whether charges can be brought.
Bereaved and survivors have described that wait, which could stretch to a decade after the catastrophic fire, as “unbearable”.
According to the update from police and prosecutors earlier this year, the mammoth police investigation into the fire has already generated 27,000 lines of inquiry and more than 12,000 witness statements.
A total of 58 individuals and 19 companies and organisations are under investigation for potential criminal offences, and more than 300 hours of interviews have taken place.
Potential offences under consideration include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office, health and safety offences, fraud and offences under the fire safety and building regulations.