Kremlin’s denial of BP meddling stuns West

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sparked fury today when he claimed the Kremlin had not meddled in the acrimonious TNK-BP dispute.

Medvedev spoke of his relief the civil war at TNK-BP had been settled without interference from the government.

He said: "The state mustn't meddle into corporate conflicts, this has always been our position.But the conflict in TNK-BP lasted for quite a long time. There were lots of questions from our colleagues, including British ones.

"I'm glad it all ended up amicably, and the company will continue to grow. This is to the benefit of the shareholders and the state as well."

But Western businessmen in Moscow reacted with incredulity.

"The Kremlin's fingerprints were all over this dispute. It is absurd to suggest they didn't meddle in it," said one.

TNK-BP joint owner Victor Vekselberg said at the weekend that agreements between the co-owners — BP and consortium AAP "will be put in practice" by December.

BP chairman Peter Sutherland said the agreement would align the two sides around a shared agenda for value growth, and would relieve recent tensions.