BP needed change of leadership, says outgoing boss Hayward

Tony Hayward, who will step down as BP boss in October after a career at the oil giant spanning almost 30 years, said it was right for the company to pursue a change of leadership following the Gulf of Mexico disaster.

In a statement issued by BP alongside today's second-quarter results, Mr Hayward said: "The Gulf of Mexico explosion was a terrible tragedy for which - as the man in charge of BP when it happened - I will always feel a deep responsibility, regardless of where blame is ultimately found to lie.