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Hello and welcome to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry podcast with me, Kate Lamble.

The inquiry returned this week after an extended break caused by the coronavirus pandemic,

and it heard the first witnesses from Arconic,

the manufacturers of the cladding panels which the inquiry

has already found to be the main cause of the spread of the 2017 fire. And during that evidence,

we learnt that Arconic did not tell its UK customers that the fire rating of its

rainerbond panels filled with combustible polyylene, had been lowered, making its official classification

certificates invalid. The UK sales manager said cost implications were behind Arconic continuing

to sell panels with a polyethylene core after a series of widely publicised fires.

An emails meant to reassure customers that Arconic would control the use of

combustible cause on different projects were false. Before we get to that evidence, I just want to take a

second to mention the new way the inquiry is working. Because of the current risks from the COVID-19

pandemic, the hearings are now taking place remotely,

with the chair of the inquiry, Sir Martin More Bick, along with the other panel members,

council, witnesses and support staff, all connecting online, and only seen against the blue

background of the inquiry's logo. That means each day's evidence starts with the same kind of talk

we've all become familiar with in remote meetings this year. I'm going to ask Mr Pack,

are you there? Good morning. Yes, I am. Hello, good morning. Can you hear me and can you see me

clearly? As well as the awkward video chat and reduce sound quality, there are also additional

questions that witnesses are now asked before giving evidence from their homes.

Can you confirm that you're alone in the room from which you're giving evidence?

...