US Congress accuses BP boss of being 'evasive', calls for resignation

After eight hours of non-stop questioning in Washington, BP’s chief executive Tony Hayward is facing further pressure to step down, as US Congressmen persisted in their call for his resignation and accused him of being ‘evasive’ during his grilling before the Committee.

The beleaguered boss appeared before members of the influential committee, who accused the oil giant of corporate complacency.

As Hayward began to give evidence, he was interrupted by a protester. She repeatedly shouted at the BP chief executive as security guards rushed to restrain her.

"You need to go to jail," she shouted.

When he did eventually speak, Tony Hayward apologised for the disaster.

"The explosion and fire on board BP’s rig ‘Deepwater Horizon’ and resulting oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico never should have happened and I am deeply sorry that they did. When I learned that 11 people lost their lives I was personally devastated," he continued.

Attending a memorial for one of the dead was a "shattering moment", Tony Hayward added.

"I understand how serious the situation is - it is a tragedy," he said.