Senate Republicans have told President Barack Obama to tone down his political attacks and prod Democratic allies to back controversial changes to a popular healthcare programme if he wants a compromise on reducing the gaping US deficit.

US president Barack Obama clashed angrily with Republican senators at a Washington lunch where they accused him of duplicity, audacity and unbending partisanship.

BP PLC told Congress last night its massive Gulf oil spill was caused by the failure of a key safety device made by another company.