British MPs are calling on Shell and others to halt “reckless” oil and gas drilling in the Arctic until stronger safety measures are put in place.

Politicians also want to impose “unlimited” financial liability on operators and the creation of a “no-drill zone” in a new environmental sanctuary.

 

The uncompromising demands have angered the energy industry but come just days after alarming new evidence has emerged aboutArctic sea ice melting at record levels. They also come on the day that an environment committee of MEPs in Brussels called for tougher financial guarantees from oil companies to ensure they could pay for spills in European waters.