Grenfell investigation into banning firms, paused
The Government said it had paused its investigations so as not to impact on criminal investigations.
Investigations into banning seven firms criticised in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry have been paused.
In a statement the Government says it's "to prevent any impact on criminal investigations" and is being done at the request of the police and CPS
The Met has previously said investigators would need until the end of the year to complete their inquiry - with final decisions on potential criminal charges expected by the end of next year
The firms which were being investigated 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.
All 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.
In a statement published on Thursday, it said:
"The Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service 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 Crown Prosecution Service (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."
Bereaved and survivors have long campaigned for criminal charges to be brought over the disaster.
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.
The Government did not consult with police or prosecutors before announcing debarment investigations into Grenfell firms, the Metropolitan Police said.
The force said it had contacted the Government after media reports in February announcing the probes, and wrote in May to ask them to pause their investigations until any criminal proceedings have finished.
The Met said: "On 26 February 2025, the MPS was made aware through media reporting of the Government announcing debarment investigations under the Procurement Act 2023, into seven companies linked to Grenfell Tower.
"Government had not engaged with the police or the Crown Prosecution Service 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.
"The CPS and MPS 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 have concluded."
The near 10-year wait for justice has been described by families as "unbearable".
Grenfell United described the pause as "a disgrace and an insult" to those impacted by the fire and its aftermath.
In a strongly-worded statement, the group accused the Government of either incompetence or "outright indifference".
The group, which represents some bereaved and survivors, 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".
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