An unprecedented meeting of oil producers and users in Saudi Arabia this weekend, aimed at ending the rise in petrol prices, could propel the cost of energy higher, Gordon Brown was warned last night.

As the prime minister prepares to fly to the summit in Jeddah, a leading energy academic said the chances of finding a suitable solution to rocketing prices was limited because the Opec cartel of producers, western oil companies and ministers in consuming countries have conflicting views on what has caused this year's 40% rise in crude. ... Read full article