UK's David Cameron warns against excessive claims on BP

British prime minister David Cameron said on Wednesday BP was keen to face its liabilities from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill but it should not have to pay claims that were too far removed from the spill.

"I know from my conversations with BP that they want to play the fullest possible part in capping the well, in dealing with the clean-up, and yes, in paying compensation to the hotel owners and the fishermen and others who have suffered," Cameron said during a BBC radio phone-in programme.

"While it's important that they pay reasonable claims and BP accept this themselves they do need a level a certainty, and this is BP's worry, that there won't be claims entertained that are three or four times removed from the oil spill," he said.