BP chief pulls out of conference

Mr Hayward had been due to address national oil companies and energy ministers at a conference in London this morning.

BP, which said as late as yesterday that Mr Hayward would be appearing at the event, blamed a heavy schedule of commitments for the withdrawal as the company concentrates on efforts to contain the massive oil spill.

Mr Hayward's keynote speech on the global responsibility of oil companies was due to be followed by a question-and-answer session with other speakers.

Pressure on the group is showing no sign of easing after yet more blows to its reputation since Mr Hayward's mauling at the hands of US politicians last week.

He was pilloried in the US for spending Sunday sailing around the Isle of Wight, while the group was forced to halt oil recovery from one of the ships taking part in the Gulf of Mexico operation for 10 hours.