FTSE CLOSE: Footsie pushes higher as global markets recover after Swiss franc shocker; BP biggest gainer

BP was the biggest riser in the FTSE 100 Index today after a US judge ruled that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill was smaller than government estimates.

District judge Carl Barbier said that 3.19million barrels were discharged into the Gulf after the rig explosion at BP's Macondo well, more than the 2.4million-barrel figure BP had argued for but less than the US government's estimate of about 4.2million. The latter figure could have meant 18billion dollars (£12billion) in maximum penalties under the Clean Water Act.

With the price of Brent crude oil also returning to a level near the 50 US dollars a barrel mark, the company's shares surged 5 per cent or 20.75p to 413.35p.

The performance of the heavily-weighted stock helped the FTSE 100 rise 51.5 at 6550.3, as mining stocks rallied at the end of a volatile week for the sector after copper prices lifted.

Miner Glencore was the second biggest riser in the top flight, up almost 5 per cent, or 11.95p at 252.55p, Anglo American lifted 40p to 1099.5p and Fresnillo was 29.5p higher at 884.5p.

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