Minister Responds to MP’s Concerns Over Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

BP should remain a ‘strong and viable’ company despite the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, MP for Beverley and Holderness has been told by Government.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign Office, Alistair Burt MP, responding to constituents concerns, raised by Graham, said there was ‘no suggestion’ the spill reflected badly on British business.

Graham has been approached by several constituents who feared the impact of the disaster would affect their pensions as the BP share price fell.

He said: “The explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 20 and subsequent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a human and environmental tragedy.

“The US authorities and BP continue to do all they can to stop the leak and clean up the oil. And the Minister has told me the UK Government has been in close contact with the US Government and BP throughout and has offered assistance.”

He added David Cameron, the Prime Minister, has discussed the situation and its effect on BP share prices with President Obama on several occasions.

The letter from the Minister said:

“The President made clear that there was no suggestion that this disaster reflected badly on the UK or British business and that the UK/US relationship remained strong. They agreed that BP was a strong and viable company and that it was in all of our interests that it remained so.”

Graham added: “I can fully understand the fears some of my constituents have about the state of the BP share price.

“I hope this answer from the Minister give my constituents some comfort. I will be keeping a close eye on developments and will take any future concerns to the Government should the need arise.”