New setback for BP in Deepwater Horizon case

BP’s hopes of reaching a settlement over the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe were dealt a blow today after it emerged that the US Government intends to prove gross negligence or wilful misconduct at trial.

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) said the oil giant displayed a “culture of corporate recklessness”, according to a memo filed with a New Orleans court, in the clearest sign yet that it will push for the maximum possible penalties following the spill in 2010.