Fuel protesters plan next step

Small-scale protests were held on Friday

Fuel protesters are to meet on Saturday to plan their next move following a day of low-key demonstrations at depots.

The meeting comes despite a number of retailers cutting their prices at the petrol pumps following a big fall in the price of crude oil.

The protesters say the cuts are too small compared with the drop in the crude oil price, and have accused retailers of "ripping off" consumers.

They staged several small pickets at fuel depots in England and Wales on Friday, but did not attempt to interrupt supplies.

David Handley, chairman of the Farmers For Action group which organised the protests, said members would meet on Saturday to decide what to do next.

David Handley: "Will not tolerate present situation"

"We've had a good day with action all around the country," he said.

"We want to show the government we are still here and are not prepared to tolerate the present situation."

On Friday, a further major fuel retailer, BP Amoco, announced a cut in its fuel prices, mirroring similar moves from Shell and several supermarkets.

The announcement came shortly after Chancellor Gordon Brown warned oil companies he was monitoring forecourt prices following the fall in the cost of crude oil.

Price cuts

BP said it would cut unleaded fuel by 1p a litre and diesel by 2p a litre by the end of the weekend.

Earlier this week Shell, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons cut the price of unleaded fuel by 1p. Sainsbury's is also cutting diesel by 1p from midnight on Friday.

Esso said it would match the prices within three miles of its rivals.

And a spokesman for TotalFinaElf said the average price of unleaded petrol at its pumps was now 76.8p.

In an interview with The Times, the chancellor warned oil companies he continued to review their tax position.

He noted the price of oil had fallen from $34 a barrel (£23) to $24.

And he said: "As far as the price consumers pay, I just repeat: we continue to monitor the situation."

The Treasury said later Mr Brown would not be rushed into short-term decisions on a windfall tax on oil firms' profits.

We won't get the sympathy we deserve if we protest now

Rhys Park, People's Fuel Lobby

On Friday, protesters returned to fuel terminals at Manchester, Jarrow, Avonmouth, Southampton, Pembroke and Leeds.

About 30 picketed the Manchester Fuels Terminal at Trafford Park for three hours but police said fuel deliveries were completed as normal.

Another 20 to 30 people protested outside Avonmouth docks, where they were joined by Mr Handley.

One Texaco tanker driver was persuaded to return to his depot, but the demonstration was suspended ahead of Saturday's meeting.

Small numbers of protesters also picketed the Shell depot at Jarrow, South Tyneside, the Total fuel distribution depot in Cross Green, Leeds, the Esso terminal at Fawley, Hampshire, and two oil refineries at Pembroke Dock, south west Wales.

'Still watching'

But the protests were criticised by fellow campaigners the People's Fuel Lobby, which will hold its own private meeting in Manchester on Saturday.

Spokesman Rhys Park said: "It's not the right time to do it. The country is still affected by floods and snow, and the rail network is falling apart.

"We won't get the sympathy we deserve if we protest now."

The protest at Pembroke Dock was continuing early on Saturday morning, but leaders described it as "a token picket" and said they would not be trying to stop tankers from leaving.

Last September's fuel protest triggered shortages across the country.

Protesters say this is not the aim of the new protests.

Farmer Andrew Spence, who led the fuel convoy protest from Tyneside to London, said they wanted to remind the government and the fuel companies that campaigners were still watching them.

"We are not here to cause disruption and I would urge people not to panic buy, because there is absolutely no need."

Shell UK head of retail Ian Sutcliffe said the company was concerned about the new protests.

But he added that the firm had worked with the government, police and other agencies involved to make sure there was no repeat of last year's scenes.