US government to sue BP after oil spill

The US government announced today it is to sue BP for costs and damages resulting from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The firm is amongst eight companies named by the Justice Department in a lawsuit filed in a New Orleans court.

On April 20, an explosion at BP's Deepwater Horizon rig killed 11 workers and led to the worst environmental disaster the region has ever seen.

The US administration is calling for the eight named firms to be held liable without limitation for all costs and damages under the Oil Pollution Act.