13:37

The landlord of Grenfell Tower which oversaw the recladding of the building in combustible panels has said it will be up to the public inquiry to find out why this happened.

In its opening statement, Kensington and Chelsea Tenants Management Organisation said “a whole range of technical and professional bodies, including those with specific responsibility for building control and fire safety” knew what it was doing. It said:

Why combustible cladding was used at Grenfell Tower is something this inquiry will have to consider

KCTMO accepts it had “a central role” and should come under great scrutiny, but said the cladding was originally selected by the architect, Studio E, and was shown to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea who had made it a condition of the grant of planning permission.



In a six-page submission to the inquiry it explained that while it was the client on the refurbishment multiple other organisations were involved and it detailed the roles of the contractor, cost consultant, fire consultant, the architect, landscape architect, fire testing company, building control officers and fire door manufacturers.



It also said it is “deeply sorry for these terrible events and extends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved, survivors and residents”.



It added: