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Oil giant Esso has backed down on plans to raise petrol prices by 2p and diesel by 4p in the wake of massive public outrage.

There was no word on Thursday night from Tesco, Jet and TotalFinaElf, which had also hiked their prices, on whether they would also back down.

Oil company chiefs had dodged questions about the price increase as they left an emergency meeting at Downing Street, just hours after the refinery blockades were called off.

Speaking on behalf of the industry following the third emergency meeting with Tony Blair in three days, Shell chairman Malcolm Brinded refused to discuss the rises.

He said: "I cannot comment on the rest of the industry but we've held our prices constant since before the dispute started."

The price rise was condemned by Tony Blair before he met oil executives.

He said he "could not understand" the decision and added: "The world oil price, as far as I am aware, has actually gone down in the last few days."

The oil firms have pledged to refill 20 per cent of Britain's petrol stations within 48 hours.

Mr Brinded insisted the situation was now easing.

He said: "We were able to tell the Prime Minister that 300 designated sites for essential supplies should by the end of the day be supplied.

"Over the next 48 hours at least 20 per cent of the network will be supplied.

"We are focusing immediately on 300 sites for essential supplies and over the next two days we should see many more."

As most protesters gave up their demonstrations and tankers began to flood out of depots, the Prime Minister remained defiant about his course of action.

He said: "I have to say to the protesters: 'We understand you have a genuine and sincerely held grievance but we cannot and should not be threatened into a change of policy.'"

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Read previous stories on this issue here:

14.09.00Fuel crisis leads to business joy for one man.

14.09.00Army on standby as crisis endangers lives.

13.09.00 Defiant Blair gets the fuel flowing.

12.09.00Blair defiant as fuel crisis spreads panic.

11.09.00 Road chaos as truckers step up blockade action.

09.09.00 Trucker protest brings A1 chaos

Additional information:

Read the latest information issued by Darlington Borough Council.

Read the Government document "Petrol Prices - the facts and choices".

Find out more about the campaign here.