Shell faces charges over deaths

Keith Moncrieff and Sean McCue died in the gas tragedy

Oil firm Shell has been charged following the deaths of two offshore workers, it has emerged.

Sean McCue, from Fife, and Keith Moncrieff, from Tayside, were overcome by gas in a leg of the Brent Bravo platform in September 2003.

The OILC union claims a Shell inquiry found failings in the platform's management and permit to work systems.

An indictment has now been served on Shell Expro, detailing three Health and Safety charges.

Mr Moncrieff had appeared in a Shell safety video after being involved in an earlier gas escape on the same platform.

Seeking answers

His brother Neil has welcomed moves to charge the company.

He said: "We're pleased that we'll maybe get some answers.

"If they have broken Health and Safety regulations then hopefully they'll rectify problems and make the guys' jobs on the rigs safer so it doesn't happen to any other family."

A Shell spokesman said the firm could not make any comment ahead of the court case.

It is due to take place early in May.