Russian court bans TNK-BP CEO from work

MOSCOW/LONDON (Reuters) - A Moscow court has banned oil firm TNK-BP's chief executive, Robert Dudley, from holding office in Russia for two years, BP said on Thursday.

TNK-BP is a joint venture between oil major BP and four Russia-connected billionaires, which have demanded that Dudley resign, accusing him of favouritism towards BP. London-based BP denies these claims.

"We are very disappointed with the decision," BP said in a statement. "However, Robert Dudley remains chief executive pending completion of the appeal process."

"Robert Dudley has BP's full support. We believe this is a further example of the administrative activities orchestrated by the other shareholders of TNK-BP."

A source at the Moscow labour inspection had told Reuters on Thursday that the court had banned Dudley from working in Russia for two years.

A representative of TNK-BP said the company will launch an appeal against the decision within 10 days and that Thursday's court ruling would not be enforced prior to the appeal court's decision.

(Reporting by Katya Golubkova in Moscow, additional reporting by Barbara Lewis and Alex Lawler in London)