The London fire brigade’s “systemic” failings in dealing with the Grenfell Tower blaze, which saw 72 people perish in June 2017, prevented more lives being saved, an official inquiry has concluded.
The report, which is due to be published on Wednesday, praised the “extraordinary courage and selfless devotion to duty” of firefighters at the scene but was critical of the actions of commanders on the night.
In particular, it was found the ‘stay put’ strategy, where residents were advised to remain in their apartments at the 23-storey tower for nearly two hours after the fire broke out at 12:54am, had been abandoned too late.
Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who chaired the two-year inquiry, identified “a number of serious shortcomings” in the control room of the operation and at the scene that were “for the most part systemic in nature”.
"That decision could and should have been made between 1.30am and 1.50am and would be likely to have resulted in fewer fatalities. The best part of an hour was lost before Assistant Commissioner Roe revoked the 'stay put' advice," wrote Sir Martin in the inquiry, which was leaked to The Daily Telegraph.
“The ‘stay put’ concept had become an article of faith within the LFB (London Fire Brigade) so powerful that to depart from it was to all intents and purposes unthinkable,” he said.
The disaster, the UK’s deadliest fire in a residential building since World War Two, led to widespread outrage over how a densely populated social housing block could become a death trap. It was found the main reason the fire spread so fast was because the tower had been covered in flammable aluminium cladding when it was refurbished.
Sir Martin said the fire started because of an electrical fault in a fourth-floor apartment refrigerator.
Dany Cotton, the London Fire Brigade’s commissioner, was also accused of “remarkable insensitivity” to the families of the deceased for saying she would not have done anything differently.
She announced her retirement in June, reportedly after receiving a warning she would be criticised in the report.
In June she said: “The utter devastation of the Grenfell Tower fire and its impact on so many people will never leave me.
“I want to reassure my staff and all those affected by the tragedy that I will remain dedicated to leading London Fire Brigade through any findings from phase one of the Public Inquiry.”
Nabil Choucair, who lost six relatives in the blaze, told Sky News: "Lessons need to be learnt and unfortunately we lost our loved ones and we don't want anyone else to lose loved one(s) in order for it not to happen again."
Matt Wrack, the General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said “it will be deeply upsetting to bereaved and survivors of Grenfell fire that the report has been leaked”. He said there needed to be greater scrutiny into the use of combustible cladding and the decisions of government ministers.
A spokeswoman for the London Fire Brigade said it would be inappropriate to comment on the report before its official release on Wednesday.
A police investigation is ongoing but no charges will be brought until the conclusion of the public inquiry process.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
