Grenfell Tower refurbishment fire safety consultant Exova gave “entirely inadequate” advice to the project team carrying out the fatally flawed tower block upgrade at a time when there was confusion among contractors about safety requirements, the probe into 2017’s disaster has heard.

Inquiry expert witness Dr Barbara Lane told Wednesday’s hearing that Exova’s reports to project architect Studio E and project client Kensington and Chelsea Management Organisation failed to meet minimum standards in numerous respects. She said that the advice was professionally negligent at times.