Minute's silence at Shell agm

A minute's silence was held yesterday during Shell's annual meeting in memory of the author Ken Saro-Wiwa and nine other human rights activists executed by the Nigerian military regime last year, writes Patrick Tooher.

Responding to a request from a shareholder, Shell's chairman John Jennings agreed "to pause for quiet reflection in the spirit of reconciliation" at the meeting at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.

Shell is the main foreign oil producer in Nigeria and its dealings there have come under increased scrutiny since the Ogoni leaders were hanged in November.

Mr Jennings' highly unusual gesture was very much in keeping with the subdued mood of the meeting, which in the past has been disrupted by environmental, human rights and anti-apartheid groups.