Grenfell Tower landlord had 'secret' meeting on cost cutting, inquiry told

800,000 of refurbishment savings agreed offline' with contractor Rydon, including cheaper cladding

The Grenfell Tower landlord held a secret meeting to cut refurbishment costs - including discussing the switch to cheaper cladding - despite being warned by lawyers that it would break procurement law and could void the main contract, the public inquiry into the disaster was told.

David Gibson, head of capital investment at the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO), which operated the council tower block for its owner, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, organised a secret" and offline" meeting with the contractor Rydon in which they agreed more than 800,000 in savings, he told the inquiry on Thursday.