The government “hobbled” a group of fire safety experts appointed to spot flaws in building regulations because of a culture of deregulation, the Grenfell Inquiry has heard.

Ministers gave the Building Research Establishment (BRE) “investigation of real fires project” a “contractual requirement” not to make any policy recommendations.

David Crowder, former head of fire investigation at the BRE, told Wednesday’s hearing that the group’s reports were limited to pointing out “implications” raised by building fires.

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