$20 billion in escrow is a start; the cost, of course, will be considerably more. The courts will be busy with claims for years to come.

After hitting a high of 650 pence near the end of March, it was about 360 pence today, a little improvement over a low of 337p yesterday; funds and individuals with BP stock have taken a damaging blow. ($32 approx. NY Ex, I haven't checked today)

MMS shares the blame by not enforcing proper procedures; it's management was badly corrupted and/or incompetent.

I agree with Bobert; take what is possible. Of course the rest of us will lose some liquidity over the coming years as a result. Drive BP into near bankruptcy, and Chevron, Sinopec or someone else will take over the company; then they will claim the damages are "not my problem" and suits would become impossible.

I didn't hear all of the questions (not that it mattered, Tony only came up with a stock answer that the investigation was not complete) but I didn't hear anyone question his record- in his BP bio it is stated that he saved BP some $4 billion. Some emphasis could have been put on the charge that he is responsible for the cost-cutting and hence inadequate procedures in drilling.