The chair of the inquiry into the fire said every single death was avoidable
Any decision by the government about whether Grenfell Tower should be demolished must come alongside reassurances that criminal proceedings are brought forward as soon as possible, says the local MP.
Joe Powell, who represents Kensington and Bayswater, said it was vital the voices of the bereaved and survivors were central to the decision about the future of the tower.
A report issued by the government said Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner planned to “continue the conversation” about what to do with the tower and would come to a decision in February.
In June 2017, a fire started by a malfunctioning fridge freezer broke out in Grenfell Tower, killing 72 people.
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The Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have said no charges in relation to the tragedy will be announced until late 2026.
Mr Powell, a Labour MP, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I welcome the deputy prime minister’s and building safety minister’s personal and intensive engagement with our community.
“A decision on the future of the tower must come alongside reassurances that criminal proceedings are brought forward as soon as possible so justice can truly be served.”
The pending decision follows years of debate over what should happen to the tower, with some advocating for it to remain in place as a lasting memorial and reminder of the failings that caused the tragedy.
Others argue its presence is distressing to those who lost loved ones.
Fire damage to the upper levels of the tower has led to fears the building is becoming a dangerous structure.
Though safety measures have been put in place, a peer review of government reports by engineering company Jacobs warned that the structure could “weaken further” in harsh weather.
This advice was echoed by engineering experts to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) who said the building should be “carefully taken down” over long-term safety concerns.
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Grenfell Next of Kin, an advocacy group for the immediate families of nearly half of the people who were killed in the fire, said the building was “deteriorating fast”.
Kimia Zabihyan, who leads the group, said at the forefront of decision must be the immediate families of those who died.
She said: “We need more than slogans and pats on the head. We need the actual tools, solidarity and the work towards justice and a memorial for our loved ones that we feel is truly for our kin. The rest is just virtue signalling and for show.
“Hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money have been wasted by exploiting our loss, grief and anger. They give us pats on the head and warm words, promises of a memorial, and at the same time systemically undermine and take away our agency. What are we supposed to be thrilled about here?”
In September 2024, a final report into the fire was published with 58 recommendations to prevent a similar disaster happening again.
Chair of the inquiry Sir Martin Moore-Bick described every single death in the fire as avoidable, and said everyone who lived in the block had been “badly failed” by the authorities and the construction industry.