My FT column this week is on the BP oil rig disaster:
Once upon a time, BP stood for plain British Petroleum. Under John Browne, its former chief executive, it was Beyond Petroleum. These days, it is more like Blame the Past.
The eruption of oil from a broken well in the Gulf of Mexico, which threatens immense environmental damage, could cost BP $10bn (€7.6bn, £6.6bn) in cash terms and a great deal more in terms of tarnishing its brand under Tony Hayward, Lord Browne’s successor.




