Rep. Waxman accuses BP’s CEO Hayward of ’stonewalling’ inquiry into Gulf oil spill

Waxman accuses BP CEO of ’stonewalling’ on spill

WASHINGTON — A leading House member is accusing BP CEO Tony Hayward of “stonewalling” and refusing to discuss questionable drilling practices that led up the catastrophic Gulf Coast oil spill.

Appearing for the first time before Congress, Hayward Thursday insisted at a House hearing that BP makes safety a high priority. But he refused to answer repeated questions about BP’s drilling practices, or whether those procedures saved the company money while increasing the risk of accident.

California Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman told Hayward he was “stonewalling” and had been “irresponsible” in refusing to discuss what may have led to the oil spill. Hayward said he was unaware of the drilling activities at the well and could not “pass judgment on those decisions.”