That Shell pay-out – does it affect you as a consumer?
By Andy Dawson
Time for an ethical question. If a company with a UK presence had been involved in the execution of environmental activists, would it make you think twice about using their products?
Personally, this writer would say hell yes, but at the end of the day it’s down to yourself and your conscience. Of course it’s a hypothetical question and nothing to do with the fact that Royal Dutch Shell have agreed to pay out almost £10 million following a lawsuit over the 1995 hangings of six oil exploration protestors in Nigeria. Crucially, Shell acknowledged no wrongdoing. AND NO ONE IS SAYING THEY WERE INVOLVED. RIGHT?
In the lawsuit, heard in New York, Shell were accused of colluding with the country’s former military government to silence activists in the country and helped furnish Nigerian police with weapons, participated in security sweeps of the area, and hired troops that shot at villagers protesting over the construction of a pipeline. THEY DENIED BEING INVOLVED IN ALL OF THIS. RIGHT?
Shell hope that the pay-out will help the “process of reconciliation” and their executive director of exploration and production, Malcolm Brinded, said: “This gesture also acknowledges that even though Shell had no part in the violence that took place, the plaintiffs and others have suffered.” SHELL HAD NO INVOLVEMENT IN THE VIOLENCE. OKAY?
But, and this is still HYPOTHETICAL, what if another company had been behind the hangings of a group of activists, say for example, Kelloggs? Would that stop you from buying Ricicles? And will the Shell story influence you to buy your fuel elsewhere? Your hypothetical comments on this hypothetical situation are welcome. And remember, you are legally responsible for the contents of your posts.
feral trolley of the week
To be honest, I don’t think Shell would see much of a dent in their Squidillions of profit they make every nanosecond.
iphone, iphone, iphone.
Arggggghhhhhhh.
that would have never happened if you voted for luke.
Vote Green Party! We will:
(a) send anyone who works in an oil company into rehabilitation
(b) blow up oil pipelines
(d) plant a tree in the middle east and guard it against terrorists
£10 MILLION DOLLARS
I,m confused
Edited andy of yarm. Christ, that was a shocker wasn’t it?
To paraphrase the Daily Mail:
Shell are MURDERERS
If I’m wrong, let them sue me.
[...] post: That Shell pay-out – does it affect you as a consumer? Categories : Environment, Headlines, [...]
Yip, I will stop using there Oil in all my salads from now on, that will show them.
What garages to Shell supply?
Also you might want to stop using plastics, textiles, medical supplies and computers.
Nope, couldn’t care less! I thought it was common knowledge that all Oil companies where evil murderers? And so are cars for that matter. And sand, more people die in sand than from sharks you know!
If their petrol was a penny cheaper than their competitors, then I’d go with them.
If it was more convenient to buy from them than anyone else, then I’d go with them.
I’m rubbing shell oil into my creamy smooth thighs whilst reading all your comments, mmmmm.
I wouldn’t buy Ricicles anyway