Grenfell debarment investigations paused to safeguard integrity of criminal proceedings

On 10 July 2025, the Cabinet Office reported that following information received from the Metropolitan Police, continuing debarment investigations could unintentionally prejudice criminal investigation and future criminal proceedings. At the request of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police the Cabinet Office has therefore paused its separate, non-criminal debarment investigations.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report laid bare an appalling catalogue of failures leading up to the fire, and the Prime Minister made it clear that there must be full accountability. Debarment investigations into seven organisations criticised by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, relating to their eligibility for public contracts, were announced immediately after the Procurement Act 2023 came into force in February, which gave new powers to do so.

The Procurement Act 2023 allows the government to investigate suppliers and, if certain grounds are met, add them to a published debarment list. Public sector organisations covered by the Act must have regard to this list when carrying out new procurements that are covered by the Act’s remit, and can rely on this list to exclude a supplier where appropriate. When a supplier is added to the debarment list on a mandatory ground, they must be excluded from all procurement activity within scope of the Act, except in very limited circumstances. If an organisation is convicted of a criminal offence that is a mandatory exclusion ground under the Act, this would potentially enable the government to take stronger action.

The Cabinet Office confirmed in February the seven companies facing possible bans the were being investigated as being the cladding firm Arconic, the insulation firm Kingspan, former Celotex owners Saint-Gobain, the fire inspectors Exova, design and build contractor Rydon, subcontractor Harley Facades and the architect Studio E.

However, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, told Parliament of the need to maintain the integrity of criminal proceedings in the pursuit of justice for the Grenfell community as a priority and as such the debarment investigations have been paused.

The Deputy Prime Minister is writing to bereaved, survivors and residents in the immediate Community share the decision and reaffirm the government’s commitment to holding organisations to account.

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 near 10-year wait for justice has previously been described by families as “unbearable”, whilst the decision to remove the tower was criticised by some of the bereaved and survivors, who felt their views had not been considered. Demolition work on the tower could begin as early as September.