I haven't seen anything mentioned about this anywhere...

[bunny planet]

What responsibility does the UK government have in overseeing and punishing their own country's company, BP, fo it's role in the oil spill disaster destroying our sovereign waters and coastline?
Just wondering.

[MrCoffee]

1. That would be none at all

Why would the UK government be responsible in any way?

[bunny planet]

3. not saying they are but maybe there is something in their

legal agreements with the company that is pertinent. If one of our companies committed some similar crime on some other countries soil I believe the US government would be petitioned for a response.

[Kerrytravelers]

2. Good question.

I wonder where an answer can be found from a reliable source?

[readmoreoften]

4. If there's an explosion at a Coke factory in Mexico, you think the US government is going to do

anything? Capital is international. Besides, if we bailed out every atrocity committed by corporations listed on the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq, we'd be a nation of beggars. And that's impossible. Because we're an oligarchy.

[bunny planet]

7. the US government no

I'm asking if the UK government has a different arrangement and obligation with their own corporations - thought not, but wanted to ask

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. BP

is not a British company. It's a transnational company.

[bunny planet]

6. ok then, just thought I'd ask

[Scuba]

8. They're no more responsible the the US Gov't.

Our taxpayers should not be held responsible, nor should theirs. BP stockholders should be held responsible for the fiscal end of it. BP and MMS employees should be held responsible for their criminal actions.

[bunny planet]

9. I was thinking more along the lines of

UK government having more of a legal hold over a UK company - not charging UK taxpayers. Similarly, the US Government should ideally be able to put pressure and exact punishment on a US company, like say, Halliburton. However, Halliburton and Transocean have both relocated their businesses offshore, to Dubai and Switzerland respectively so as to avoid falling under US jurisdiction. Since BP is always mentioned as a UK company - based in London, I just wondered whether or not there was some way for the UK government to be able to use their business laws and regulations to make them accountable in some way. If its not considered a UK company, and BP is an independent transnational entity that is essentially lawless well then..... useless pondering on my part