APNewsBreak:BP's Hayward won't testify next month

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

Outgoing BP CEO Tony Hayward has refused a request by U.S. senators to testify next month about BP's role in the release of the man convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

In a letter this week signed by Hayward and obtained by The Associated Press, Hayward told Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., that he is focused on ensuring a "smooth and successful leadership change" at the company and will be unable to testify. The committee is looking into whether the British-based oil company had sought Abdel Baset al-Megrahi's release to help get a $900 million exploration agreement with Libya off the ground.

The company has acknowledged that it had urged the British government to sign a prisoner transfer agreement with Libya, but stressed it didn't specify al-Megrahi's case.

(snip)
Menendez has said that although the committee can't compel foreign nationals to testify at a hearing in the U.S., the committee will look into whether Hayward could be subpoenaed because BP conducts business in the U.S.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100826/ap_on_go_co/us_hayward_lockerbie_hearing

[Botany]

1. If BP said it then I believe it

<In the letter, obtained by The Associated Press, Hayward noted that British and Scottish officials said they found no evidence that BP played a role in al-Megrahi's release.>


Do I need to post this?

:sarcasm:

[mike r]

2. Unable to testify:

[Curmudgeoness]

3. Really, does it matter. If he did testify, he would not answer any

questions. If he did answer questions, he would lie. If the truth came out with total candidness, what would happen anyways? Would he be arrested? Tried? What charges? The bombing was over Scotland, Hayward is British, so tell me why are they even wasting time with this in the US? Why is this our business?

[KansDem]

4. This is horseshit!!!

...he is focusing on ensuring a smooth transition of leadership at the company and will be unable to testify...

Man, oh man, if only I could use this excuse if I ever encounter the justice system!

Sorry, your Honor, I won't be able to appear in court. You see, I'm turning over dish-washing responsibilities to my 12-year-old and I want to ensure a smooth transition!

[JDPriestly]

5. Congress may not be able to subpoena Hayword, but our

criminal courts can subpoena him for manslaughter in the Gulf Spill if he is implicated in criminal acts.

The Scottish authorities could release the correspondence on this.

[Nihil]

7. So could the US authorities ...

> The Scottish authorities could release the correspondence on this.

In fact, that's precisely what the Scottish authorities suggested:
a clean presentation of all information (i.e., from BOTH sides of
the pond) but - so far - nobody in the CHANGE administration wants
to behave any differently than their predecessors.

:shrug:

Go figure who is doing more hiding of the past and who genuinely
wants the truth to come out ...

[felinetta]

6. This is a bulletin? I never thought he'd show his face again for many years.

[Nihil]

8. Unrecommended for political grandstanding ...

... from irrelevant senators who just want to distract from the real issues
(e.g., their lack of spine).

:thumbsdown: