BP’s chief executive Tony Hayward is expected to stand down following criticism of his handling of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. BP held a board meeting on 26 July and stated that “no final decision has been made”. The firm said over the weekend of 24 and 25 July that Mr Hayward had the board’s full support, and added that “any decisions will be announced as appropriate”. Mr Hayward is expected to be replaced by his US colleague, Bob Dudley, who took charge of the clean-up operation.