Barton retracts apology to BP

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), who sparked outrage when he apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward for the victims’ fund set up for cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico, issued a statement a few hours ago apologizing if his words at a House energy committee hearing this morning were “misconstrued.” Now, he’s made another remark — withdrawing his apology to BP.

“I apologize for using the term ‘shakedown’ with regard to yesterday’s actions at the White House in my opening statement this morning, and I retract my apology to BP,” he said in his latest statement. “As I told my colleagues yesterday and said again this morning, BP should bear the full financial responsibility for the accident on their lease in the Gulf of Mexico. BP should fully compensate those families and businesses that have been hurt by this accident. BP and the federal government need to stop the leak, clean up the damage, and take whatever steps necessary to prevent a similar accident in the future.

“I regret the impact that my statement this morning implied that BP should not pay for the consequences of their decisions and actions in this incident.”