A TOP solicitor has accused oil bosses of obstructing moves to deal with compensation claims made by victims of the Buncefield blast.

Des Collins, who represents 146 victims, says Hertfordshire Oil Storage Limited (HOSL) is dragging its heels despire moves to speed up matters.

His remarks came as a senior High Court official called for the two sides to get together with a view to dealing with the issue quickly.

At a hearing on Friday, Senior Master Turner adjourned an application for a group litigation order – being brought by individuals, companies and insurers – until October.

He had earlier heard how HOSL has processed more than 2,700 Buncefield-related claims including those of private individuals who had been traumatised or had suffered uninsured losses in the blast.

Maylands-based companies are also looking for compensation while insurers themselves are keen to recoup millions which have been paid to policy holders.

In adjourning the hearing Senior Master Turner said he had sympathy for individual victims and wanted a progress report on informal discussions between their solicitors and HOSL by the middle of July.

He said: “They [the victims] can be assured from me that as long as I am in charge this matter will not be forgotten about and will be moved forward as fast as I can do so”.

However, the delay in court proceedings has angered victims and tensions have risen after it emerged that despite a number of approaches HOSL is refusing to discuss the issue.

Mr Collins, of Collins Solicitors, said it was common in such court cases for the party involved to deal with private claims quickly without admitting liability so court proceedings could concentrate on corporate claims.

“What they are doing is in effect stonewalling us,” he said. “An approach of this nature following a disaster is virtually unprecedented.

“It just seems to be absolute nonsense that they seem to be persisting in this approach of ‘we can’t talk and we won’t talk’.”

HOSL has refused to comment on whether it will sit down and talk to victims’ solicitors in a bid to settle their claims quickly.

A statement released by the company yesterday read: “HOSL is committed to constructive, efficient and coordinated discussions with solicitors representing the local residents and insurers and will continue to work closely with them. HOSL has great sympathy for all those affected by the Buncefield incident, and remain committed to exploring ways that they can offer practical assistance to those still suffering hardship as a consequence.”