Euro MP’s one-man boycott

Date: 23/11/1995

Oil sanctions have been imposed over the executions of author Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other human rights activists, but not by Europe's governments and not against the Nigerian military regime.

The target is oil giant Shell, in protest at its huge commercial involvement in Nigeria. But Shell officials could be forgiven for not noticing the impact - it will take more than a boycott by one Euro MP to get the company to change its ways.

Still, it's a start, and UK Conservative Edward McMillan-Scott is proud to be leading the way. His political boss, Lord Plumb, is more practical, however. It's all very well boycotting Shell petrol, he told McMillan-Scott, but this worthy gesture will go out of the window the minute you're stuck in the countryside one night with an empty fuel tank and only a Shell garage beckoning you on the horizon.

“No it won't. I keep a spare can of petrol in the back of the car,” riposted McMillan-Scott. “Non-Shell?” enquired Plumb. “Naturally”, came the reply.