A former BP drilling operations chief resigned just months before last year's Gulf of Mexico oil spill amid disagreements over the oil giant's commitment to safety, a class-action lawsuit says.

BP faced fresh controversy today after shareholders filed a lawsuit against senior executives following the partial shutdown of its Prudhoe Bay oil field in Alaska.

Fuel giant BP could face a fine of more than £1.2m (€1.7m) over a pipeline spill in Alaska, environmental watchdogs said today.