From Mr Tony Hayward.

Sir, I was disappointed by the FT's interpretation of remarks I made to BP staff last week ("BP internal memo criticises group's leadership strategy", December 18). Your reporter Sheila McNulty suggested I had been critical of the BP Group's leadership for its handling of safety, in particular of Lord Browne. In fact, my comments were made to the Houston staff of BP's Exploration business, of which I am chief executive.