The White House says whether BP replaces its chief executive is up to BP, but says the company cannot change its responsibility to plug its oil well, clean up the damage in the Gulf of Mexico and compensate those who have suffered as a result.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs declined comment Monday on reports that BP is replacing its embattled executive, Tony Hayward.

Gibbs says that regardless of who leads the company, BP still has a responsibility to restore the Gulf and compensate its residents.