Oil and gas company Total fined more than £1m over North Sea leak

Penalty, thought to be largest imposed on a North Sea operator, welcomed by environmental campaigners but union leaders fear it will have little impact

The French oil and gas multinational Total has been fined more than 1m for safety breaches that led to a potentially catastrophic leak at its Elgin platform in the North Sea.

Total will pay 1.125m - the largest fine imposed on a North Sea operator - as well as court costs, after it was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive, and pleading guilty at Aberdeen sheriff court.