David Lund, a director of Hertfordshire Oil Storage Limited (HOSL) and a Chevron employee, was attacked by Lord Grabiner, acting for Total, in the increasingly bitter dispute between the two oil companies.

The firms were partners in Hertfordshire Oil Storage Limited, which ran the part of the depot where the blast took place, but Chevron says Total had day to day control of operations and must pay the bill for the disaster.

Mr Lund told the court HOSL had no employees or procedures and was merely a 'forum' for the two partners.

"The board of HOSL met twice a year," he said.

"It's absurd to think the board could have run a major operation as big as that on a day to day basis."

Lord Grabiner referred to minutes of board meetings, signed off by Mr Lund, and other papers that identified HOSL as the operator.

He also sought to show the HOSL board had wider functions than two meetings a year.

"You know full well HOSL was the operator and your own documents say precisely that," he said.

Mr Lund said: "I would love to run sites without staff but it was not possible.

"That function was contracted out to Fina (Total's predecessor] from day one."

Lord Grabiner told him: "This is an after-the-event invention and sitting here now you know it's untrue.

"I have to suggest to you that what you have said is a lie."

Mr Lund replied: "I disagree strongly."

Residents and businesses are seeking damages of around £700million from Total and HOSL.

The case continues.