The final report into the Grenfell Tower fire has been delayed for a third time – with its expected publication now pushed later into the summer.
It was initially hoped that the report would be published last autumn, before being moved to early this year.
In its last progress update in November, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry team said that it hoped to publish its conclusions before the seventh anniversary of the fire on 14 June.
However, a new statement published on Thursday (11 April) said that the process of communicating with individuals criticised in the report was taking longer than expected, meaning a further wait.
The inquiry team said: “We have had to write to about 250 people and the process has been significantly larger and more complex than we had originally expected.
“Although it is now reaching its final stages, it means that we shall not be in a position to publish the report before the next anniversary of the fire, as we had originally hoped.”
The inquiry is in the final stages of its “rule 13” process, which involves writing to people who might be criticised in the report and considering their responses.
The inquiry team said that it was “determined to publish the report as soon as possible” and was working hard to ensure no time is lost.
“When we have a better understanding of how much longer the rule 13 process is likely to take, we shall write again and, if possible, provide a date for publication,” it said.
Retired judge Martin Moore-Bick was appointed on 28 June 2017 to lead the public inquiry into the huge blaze that two weeks earlier killed 72 people in west London.
The inquiry’s phase one report was published in October 2019, focusing on events during the fire itself.
The second study will examine the causes of the tragedy.
Once the final report has been sent to the prime minister, it will be the government’s decision when to publish the landmark document.
However, the government is widely expected to publish the report promptly after receiving it.
