Johnson warns of "anti-British" rhetoric over BP

THE "anti-British rhetoric" levelled at BP in the wake of the Louisiana oil spill was becoming a matter of "national concern", London Mayor Boris Johnson warned today.

By The Newsroom

Published 10th Jun 2010, 10:24 BST

He said the company was paying "a very,very heavy price" for what had been an accident, and pointed out that UK pension funds had a "huge exposure" to BP.

The oil giant has seen its share price slump and faced a series of broadsides from President Barack Obama, as it has struggled to contain the leak.

Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I do think there's something slightly worrying about the anti-British rhetoric that seems to be permeating from America.

"I would like to see a bit of cool heads rather than endlessly buck-passing and name-calling.

"When you consider the huge exposure of British pension funds to BP it starts to become a matter of national concern if a great British company is being continually beaten up on the airwaves.

"It was an accident that took place and BP is paying a very, very heavy price indeed."