EPA temporarily suspends BP from U.S. federal government contracts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Wednesday that it has temporarily suspended BP Plc and its affiliates from new contracts with the U.S. federal government, citing the oil company's "lack of business integrity" associated with the disastrous 2010 oil spill.

"Federal executive branch agencies take these actions to ensure the integrity of Federal programs by conducting business only with responsible individuals or companies. Suspensions are a standard practice when a responsibility question is raised by action in a criminal case," the EPA said in its statement.

(Reporting By Jonathan Leff and Karey Wutkowski; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)