His apology to BP, which drew a storm of criticism and calls for him to step down from a House committee, was misconstrued, says a Republican U. S. congressman.

It has been reported that Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, apologized Thursday to BP President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward in his opening remarks during a subcommittee hearing, telling Hayward he was "ashamed" by the White House effort to force BP to create a $20 billion escrow fund to pay damages to victims of the worst oil spill in U. S. history.

Barton said, "Tragedy of the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown, in this case, a $20 billion shakedown … ."

After taking criticism from Republicans as well as Democrats for the remark, Barton retracted his apology to BP.

Barton said after his round of questioning of Hayward Thursday afternoon, "I want the record to be absolutely clear that I think BP is responsible for this accident, and should be held responsible and should in every way do everything possible to make good on the consequences that have resulted from this action.

He said, "If anything I said this morning has been misconstrued in opposite effect, I want to apologize for that misconstruction."

The Hill also reported that Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., whose district is affected by the BP oil spill, had ripped Barton for apologizing to the BP president.

Miller demanded Barton resign as the House Energy and Commerce Committee's ranking Republican.

Miller said in a statement, "I condemn Mr. Barton's statement. Mr. Barton's remarks are out of touch with this tragedy and I feel his comments call into question his judgment and ability to serve in a leadership on the Energy and Commerce Committee He should step down as ranking member of the committee."

He was shocked by Barton's "reprehensible comments that the government should apologize for the 'shakedown' of BP," Miller further added. (With Inputs from Agencies)