With BP facing more than an avalanche of lawsuits after its Gulf of Mexico oil spill helped destroy the coastline, put the Gulf economy in danger and killed 11 people, the oil giant has asked the courts to place every pre-trial issue in the hands of a single federal judge in Houston. And not just any judge either. BP wants to hand the case over to a judge who has very close links with the oil industry.
McClatchy Newspapers reports that US District Judge Lynn Hughes, has traveled the world giving lectures on ethics for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists which works closely with BP, and who collects royalties from energy companies.
BP would have looked at his track record very closely and would be pushing for someone who would see the case from their point of view.
Like the Exxon Valdez, this legal drama is likely to play out for many years, long after BP has cleaned up the mess created by its greed and ineptitude. And BP is taking no chances. If the courts agree to BP's request, we can be sure there won't be much justice done.
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