Greenpeace warns Olympic chiefs over BP partnership

Greenpeace has warned London Olympic chiefs that the 2012 Games risk being “tarnished” by their partnership with BP.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Locog) is continuing to back BP despite the oil company being the subject of international condemnation following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Greenpeace senior climate campaigner Ben Ayliffe says Olympic bosses need to “think carefully” about whether the sponsorship money from BP is worth the “shadow that it will cast over their brand”.

Locog says BP remains a “valued” partner of the Games.

BP, a tier one sponsor of the Games, has come under fire from US politicians for its part in the spill, which led to the deaths of 11 people.

US President Barack Obama has consistently condemned BP and its chief executive Tony Hayward for his response to the crisis, while the speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has accused BP of a “lack of integrity”.

The oil company has also seen its share price plummet as investors worry about the cost of clearing up the spill, already at £1.1bn.

BP bosses are due to meet President Obama this week to discuss how those affected by the spill can be compensated. Observers believe this will cost BP many billions of pounds more.

The oil company is said to have paid £50m to sponsor the Games. A BP spokeswoman declined to comment when asked whether the partnership was at risk following the oil disaster.

Recommended