Washington: BP's CEO has told Congress he is "deeply sorry" for the company's catastrophic oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico as he sought to repair the British oil giant's reputation for its role in America's worst environmental disaster.
A day after agreeing to a US$20 billion victims' compensation fund, BP executive Tony Hayward told Congress in prepared testimony that he was "personally devastated" by the April explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that triggered the giant spill - and that he understands the anger that Americans feel toward him and his company.
His testimony was interrupted by a female protestor who had covered her hands in oil. She was arrested and removed from the room.
Earlier, Congress' first hearing with BP chief executive Tony Hayward opened in an atmosphere of high tension.
Hayward, sitting by himself at the witness table, is expected to be interrogated sharply by lawmakers Thursday about BP's preparedness for such a massive spill and its failure to stop oil from spewing into the Gulf.
Lawmakers also want assurances that BP will compensate Gulf coast residents and businesses for oil spill damage.
The hearing got off to a controversial start as a leading House Republican accused the White House of a "$20 billion shakedown" by requiring BP to establish a huge fund to compensate those hurt by the Gulf Coast oil spill.
Rep. Joe Barton made the assertion Thursday at the outset of a House hearing where BP's chief executive officer, Tony Hayward, was appearing for the first time before Congress.
Facing Hayward at the witness table, the Texas Republican congressman said, "I'm ashamed of what happened in the White House" on Wednesday.
Barton was referring to the agreement that President Barack Obama announced with BP for establishment of a $20 billion relief fund.
