BBC Learning English

Words in the News

18th June 2010
BP chief's evidence 'unacceptable'

A senior American congressman has dismissed the evidence of BP chief executive Tony
Hayward as 'unacceptable' and has promised to continue demanding answers in connection
with a huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. From Washington, David Willis reports:

Central to Tony Hayward's testimony were two themes: that it would be premature to
pre-judge the outcome of investigations into the cause of the explosion on the Deepwater
Horizon rig; and that as CEO he wasn't directly involved in decisions relating to construction
of the ill-fated oil well, or its safety. But his reticence to be drawn into events leading up to
the disaster two months ago led to growing frustration on the part of committee members,
one of whom accused him of 'stonewalling'.

After the hearing Democratic Congressman Ed Markey told reporters that 'I don't know' was
the answer of someone who'd decided to listen to his lawyers rather than account for what
went wrong. The Congressman said he would press BP every single day for answers that the
American people deserved.

The oil spill which stemmed from the explosion has now affected more than 80 kilometres of
shoreline in the Gulf of Mexico.

David Willis, BBC News, Washington

Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2010

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Vocabulary and definitions

Central to Tony Hayward's The essential points of Tony Hayward's evidence, which
testimony were he swore was true, were

premature to pre-judge the too soon to assume what the result of the enquiries will be
outcome of investigations

ill-fated oil well hole made in the ground or seabed for the removal of oil
which experienced a very bad failure

his reticence to be drawn into his unwillingness to become involved in a difficult or

unpleasant conversation

growing frustration increasing feelings of annoyance

stonewalling refusing to answer questions either by not talking or by

giving very limited answers

decided to listen to his lawyers choose to take his lawyers' advice (to say nothing or very
little in order not to be blamed for what went wrong)

account for explain

press put pressure on

stemmed from was the result of

More on this story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/us_and_canada/10337146.stm

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2010/06/100618_witn_bp.shtml

Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2010

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