The Grenfell Tower refurbishment project would fail unless a fundamental review of its scope was carried out, a consultant working for the client warned at an early stage.

Cost consultant Artelia said re-procuring the main contractor in a bid to reconcile a £2m budget shortfall was not the right solution because replacing Leadbitter would “incur additional time and expense” and there was no guarantee another contractor would be better.

Instead Artelia argued that a far more fundamental reappraisal of what was achievable for the money the client was prepared to spend was necessary, the inquiry heard on Monday.

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