PAInvestigations into banning firms criticised in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry have been paused “to prevent any impact on criminal investigations”.
Grenfell bereaved and survivors have accused the government of “incompetence or outright indifference” following the news.
The Cabinet Office confirmed in February that seven companies were facing possible bans.
These firms are cladding firm Arconic, insulation firm Kingspan, former Celotex owners Saint-Gobain, fire inspectors Exova, design and build contractor Rydon, architect Studio E and subcontractor Harley Facades.
‘Abhorrent to hear’
Grenfell United said: “The government’s decision to pause the debarment of the seven companies responsible for Grenfell is a disgrace and an insult to the bereaved and survivors.
“Whilst we will always put the criminal investigation first, it is abhorrent to hear — yet again — that the government failed to do its basic due diligence.
“Whether through incompetence or outright indifference, this latest U-turn is yet another glaring example of a government that abandons its duty and shamelessly betrays those it vowed to protect.”
The seven firms each faced criticism in the final report of the inquiry into the June 2017 west London tower block fire, which claimed the lives of 72 people.
Investigations were believed to have been launched into all of them in March, looking into whether any engaged in professional misconduct for the purposes of the Procurement Act 2023, potentially leading them to be debarred from public contracts.
The Met Police said that the government had not engaged with the police or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in advance of the investigations.
The CPS and the police contacted the Cabinet Office shortly after the announcement in February and formally wrote to the government in May “to invite them to consider pausing their debarment investigations until any criminal proceedings had concluded”.
The government confirmed on Thursday that it had paused its probe so as not to impact on criminal investigations.
A government spokesperson said: “The Metropolitan Police and CPS informed the Cabinet Office that continuing the debarment investigations could unintentionally prejudice the criminal investigation and any future criminal proceedings.
“To ensure the Metropolitan Police’s criminal investigation and any future proceedings remain the priority, the Cabinet Office has paused its separate, non-criminal debarment investigations at the request of the CPS and the Metropolitan Police. This decision has been made to safeguard the integrity of the Metropolitan Police’s criminal investigation.”
The CPS said it had noted the government’s decision to pause debarment investigations.
Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counter terrorism division, said: “We remain resolute in ensuring the integrity of any possible future prosecutions and continue to liaise closely with the Metropolitan Police Service as their investigation works towards an evidential file being passed to us.”
The Met said it was made aware on 26 February via media reports that the government would start “debarment investigations under the Procurement Act 2023, into seven companies linked to Grenfell Tower”.
The force added: “Government had not engaged with the police or the CPS in advance of making the decision to commence debarment investigations.
“It is really important that nothing takes place that may risk prejudicing the police investigation or any future criminal proceedings.”
Police and prosecutors have previously said investigators would need until the end of 2025 to complete their inquiry, with final decisions on potential criminal charges by the end of 2026.