Veteran of Russian operation heads BP's new disaster management unit

BP is handing operational control of its clean-up operation in the Gulf of Mexico to its most senior American executive, following mounting criticism of its conduct since the environmental catastrophe began. In a conference call with analysts and investors , chief executive Tony Hayward revealed that BP is creating a new division to deal with the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon rig disaster. It will be run by Robert Dudley, BP's managing director. "I don't believe we could have a better person to lead this organisation," said Hayward, adding that the crisis will still remain his top priority for as long as necessary. Dudley last hit the headlines when he was forced out of Russia after falling out with the oligarchs who co-owned TNK-BP, the company's joint venture in the region. He is well-respected in the oil industry, and may also be a more palatable figure than Hayward to a US public who are increasingly angry with BP – which is now commonly referred to as "British Petroleum" in the US. The creation of the disaster-tackling unit is a sign that the clean-up operation, and resulting legal action, will run for years. Hayward's own conduct during the crisis has been attacked by some critics, notably after he said that he "wanted his life back". Yesterday a Democratic congressman, Charlie Melancon, said the BP chief executive should resign . Hayward said today that no-one had actually physically assaulted him yet, and that "as a Brit" he was so far unscathed by verbal attacks. Under questioning from analysts, BP did not say whether it would maintain its dividend or cut it, as some US politicians have demanded. Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg said BP had to balance its responsibilities to fix the oil spill against its duty to investors. Overnight, BP managed to fit a container to the leaking well on the seabed . It has now managed to draw some oil to the surface through a pipe, but it is still unclear how successful this cap will be. During the conference call, Hayward and Svanberg again apologised for the disaster. Barack Obama is visiting the clean-up operation in Louisiana again today, having cancelled a trip to Australia and Indonesia. Yesterday the US president piled more pressure on BP, saying he was "furious at this entire situation, because this is an example of where somebody didn't think through the consequences of their actions."