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The company that managed Grenfell Tower wanted its fire risk assessments carried out at a "competitive" price by a firm 'willing to challenge excessive safety rules', it has been revealed.

The Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) began a search in 2010 for a new company to do risk assessments on 120 of its blocks.

It said it wanted to "see if a more competitive price could be obtained", according to the minutes of one of its board meetings.

Records show an unnamed fire safety consultant was hired two months later who “offered the best quality and also the most competitive price”.

The minutes of a later meeting in December 2010 said: "Our new consultant was willing to challenge the fire brigade on our behalf if he considered their requirements to be excessive and beyond what they could reasonably ask of us."

(Image: Oxford/PA Wire) (Image: Oxford/PA Wire)

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The minutes say the London Fire Brigade was "comfortable" with this approach as long as "standards were maintained".

There are no legal requirements on who should carry out fire risk assessments or what qualifications they should hold, according to Insider Housing magazine .

Fire safety regulations have been thrown into sharp focus after at least 30 people died in the blaze at Grenfell Tower in the small hours of Wednesday morning.

(Image: Oxford/PA Wire)

(Image: SWNS.com)

It emerged the building did not have a sprinkler system and cladding on the outside burnt at a rapid rate. Similar types of cladding have been banned in other countries due to the fire risks.

The tower's last full fire safety assessment was reportedly carried out in 2015.

Gavin Barwell, the ex-housing minister who last week became Theresa May's new chief of staff, was accused of "sitting on" a report that warned high-rise blocks like Grenfell Tower were vulnerable to fire four years ago.

(Image: AFP) (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Mr Barwell promised to review part B of the Building Regulations 2010, which relate to fire safety, but the review never materialised.

A coroner’s investigation into the blaze at Lakanal House in South London in 2009, which claimed six lives, found panels on the exterior of the block had not provided the required fire resistance and insufficient fire risk assessments had been made.

The coroner made a series of recommendation following the tragedy, but while some have been taken up, a full review of building regulations has yet to take place.

Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke tonight defended the Government, telling Sky News: "In terms of the 2009 fire, there was a coroner's report in 2013.

"We have responded to all those recommendations but there's work that needs to be done in terms of simplifying fire regulations.

"There's still more work to be done but that's a complicated area of work."

KCTMO said in a statement: "We understand the growing demand for answers. KCTMO continues to play an important role in gathering all relevant information that will enable us to assist fully with investigations.

"At present, however, our focus remains firmly supporting our residents, staff and local agencies throughout this incredibly distressing time."