Grenfell Tower fire: Police carry out 13 interviews under caution
The Metropolitan Police will not say how many people have been questioned in the 13 interviews.
Friday 7 June 2019 10:51, UK
Police have carried out 13 interviews under caution as part of the criminal investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire.
Officers say more interviews will be taking place to help with their enquiries into the tower block blaze in west London, which killed 72 people.
The Metropolitan Police said it would not disclose how many people have been questioned in the 13 interviews.
More than 7,100 statements have been taken during the investigation, including those from witnesses, emergency services and family members.
The disclosure comes a week before the two-year anniversary of the fire.
Survivors and bereaved families have voiced their frustrations that no charges have been brought so far, calling the wait "extremely frustrating and disheartening".
In March, police said they were unlikely to bring any charges for at least two years.
The Met said it would be "wrong" not to wait for the conclusion of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which will continue its second phase early next year.
Residents were told of a further delay to the inquiry last month, meaning the first report will be pushed back until October.
However, this is not expected to delay the start of the second phase.
Karim Mussilhy, whose uncle died in the blaze, said he was pleased that progress was being made, despite delays to the inquiry.
Mr Mussilhy, who is vice chairman of Grenfell United, said: "It would be interesting to find out who these bodies or organisations or individuals are, but at least it means progress is being made in the criminal investigation.
"We were told that the police investigation would almost run alongside the public inquiry, and obviously we know about all the delays the public inquiry has had, so this is something positive to a certain extent."
Emma Dent Coad, Labour MP for Kensington, said it was "just what our community wanted to hear".
A residents' association in Grenfell Tower had warned of a "catastrophic" fire in the months leading up to the blaze.
Blog posts from the Grenfell Action Group said there was an imminent fire risk and accused the building's managers of failing to ensure residents' safety.
Posting in November 2017, the group said "only an incident that results in serious loss of life" would end the "dangerous living conditions".