BP boss bears brunt of anger as Tony Hayward ducks meeting
A top BP executive was heckled at an oil conference today as public anger over the Gulf of Mexico disaster showed few signs of abating.
Chief of staff Steve Westwell was speaking at an oil conference but was interrupted by protesters. The hecklers were escorted out of the central London hotel by security officers.
Mr Westwell was only drafted in at the last minute to replace BP chief executive Tony Hayward, who had been due to address national oil companies and energy ministers.
Mr Hayward cancelled plans for his first public appearance in Britain since the oil spill turned into America's worst environmental catastrophe.
BP blamed a heavy schedule of commitments for the withdrawal as the company concentrates on efforts to contain the massive oil spill. His keynote speech on the global responsibility of oil companies was due to be followed by a question-and-answer session with other speakers.
The chief executive pulled out of the conference after stinging criticism for spending Saturday on the Isle of Wight to watch his yacht compete in a race. The outing drew yet another acerbic response from the White House.
Mr Hayward has also pulled out of an appearance at the National Portrait Gallery tonight where he was due to open an awards ceremony.
Mr Westwell said Mr Hayward was "genuinely sorry" not to be at the conference, where he had been due to give a keynote address on the global responsibilities of international oil companies.
