""BP had better start paying those bills for compensation that are piling up or it may face more than unkind words.""

There was an interview on BBC TV about ten days ago in which we were told that BP was already paying out on every damage claim presented, and were doing so in 48 hours, rather than the 45 days which is the norm in the USA.

Thet had already stated several times that they had every intention of paying the whole bill for the clear-up (in fact they said so long before the US government started this high profile vote saving attack on BP).

Now, I hold no brief for any company which puts profit ahead of safety, and notwithstanding any arguments as to degrees of responsibility, BP is, and has accepted that it is, ultimately responsible for clearing up the mess.

I fail to see, however, the benefits (given that they are footing the total bill) of slagging them off and threatening criminal prosecutions, and seizure of assets, as a result of which 40 percent of the company's value has been wiped out.

I know that things are done differently in the US of A, but I'd love to know how driving the company out of business will help to provide the billions needed for the job.

Don't you think it might be smarter to keep the smart mouths shut, and let them get on with it.

Incidentally, it has to be said that British companies were much more ethically operated up until the late 1950s when American business influences first made themselves felt over here. True indeed to say that US corporations taught people like BP all they know about modern business practices.

Don T.