A majority of investors in oil giant BP have backed the company's remuneration report despite widespread furore over the controversial multi-million pound package awarded to outgoing chief executive Lord Browne of Madingley that divided opinion in fund management and governance circles.

Major shareholders in BP were expected to vote against the oil group's remuneration report, which includes Lord Browne's three-year incentive compensation scheme lasting until 2009 despite the fact that he is leaving in July, at the company's general meeting yesterday.