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That Shell pay-out - does it affect you as a consumer?

10 June 2009
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.

16 comments

  • Francis R.
    To be honest, I don't think Shell would see much of a dent in their Squidillions of profit they make every nanosecond.
    Reply ·
  • Amanda H.
    iphone, iphone, iphone. Arggggghhhhhhh.
    Reply ·
  • MinstrelMan
    that would have never happened if you voted for luke.
    Reply ·
  • go g.
    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
    Reply ·
  • andy y.
    £10 MILLION DOLLARS I,m confused
    Reply ·
  • Andy D.
    Edited andy of yarm. Christ, that was a shocker wasn't it?
    Reply ·
  • Rubisco
    To paraphrase the Daily Mail: Shell are MURDERERS If I'm wrong, let them sue me.
    Reply ·
  • That a.
    [...] post: That Shell pay-out - does it affect you as a consumer? Categories : Environment, Headlines, [...]
    Reply ·
  • Bullet
    Yip, I will stop using there Oil in all my salads from now on, that will show them.
    Reply ·
  • Lumoruk
    What garages to Shell supply?
    Reply ·
  • Mike
    Also you might want to stop using plastics, textiles, medical supplies and computers.
    Reply ·
  • dvdj
    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!
    Reply ·
  • Nobby
    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.
    Reply ·
  • The B.
    I'm rubbing shell oil into my creamy smooth thighs whilst reading all your comments, mmmmm.
    Reply ·
  • Stradders
    I wouldn't buy Ricicles anyway
    Reply ·
  • FT B.
    [...] it isn’t the first time Shell have been accused of being nasty to human beings. We ran a very hypothetical story about them being hypothetically involved in the hypothetical hanging of some hypothetical Nigerians [...]
    Reply ·

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