White House scorns BP's complaint

BP's CEO has resigned, claiming to have been "demonised" over the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.

THE White House on Tuesday scorned complaints by outgoing BP CEO Tony Hayward that he was "demonised" over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, saying almost no-one felt sorry for him.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs also said that despite standing down, Hayward should make himself available to testify at congressional probes into the massive spill, which has sparked outrage towards BP.

"What's not fair is what has happened on the Gulf, what is not fair is that the actions of some, have caused the greatest environmental disaster that our country has ever seen," Gibbs told reporters.

"If Congress seeks to talk to him about the actions that he and his company undertook as part of what led up to what caused, or the response to that spill, our belief is Mr Hayward should make himself available."

"I don't think that a lot of people in any country are feeling overly sorry for the former CEO of BP."

Gibbs however also said that the identity of the CEO of BP was not the White House's major concern, adding that what was important was that the firm fulfill commitments to pay clean-up and compensation costs over the disaster.

He also revealed that President Barack Obama had discussed the leadership changes in the company in a telephone call with BP's Chairman of the Board, Carl-Henric Svanberg on Monday.

Earlier, Hayward resigned claiming to have been "demonised and vilified" over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster that is set to cost the British-based group $US32 billion ($A35.5 billion).

Hayward, whose PR gaffes made him a target of US fury, will be succeeded by Bob Dudley, who is in charge of BP's Gulf clean-up operations and who has vowed to "change the culture" of how the company tackles safety issues.

"This is a very sad day for me personally," Hayward told a conference call.

"Whether it is fair or unfair is not the point. I became the public face and was demonised and vilified. BP cannot move on in the US with me as its leader."