Brothers say British contractor, 58, was 'allowed to die' by French oil giant after he gave up his rescue helicopter seat

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026 · last updated 25 September 2026.

Philip Mawer's brothers Bill and Mark have condemned French energy giant TotalEnergies, accusing it of showing 'contempt' after a coroner ruled no corporation bore responsibility for rescuing the Somerset contractor. Mawer gave up his place on a rescue helicopter so women, children and the sick could escape first, then refused a seat in an armoured vehicle — a decision Hampshire coroner Jason Pegg ruled directly contributed to his death.

The attack by IS-linked Al-Shabaab on the Amarula Hotel in Palma, Mozambique, left as many as 1,400 people dead and was described at the inquest as 'the biggest terrorist attack since 9/11'.

TotalEnergies was accused of refusing to provide fuel to private military contractor Dyck Advisory Group, which had been staging rescues from the besieged hotel.

Coroner Jason Pegg called Mawer 'a true leader' who 'put his team and others first' at a time he was 'very likely' in fear for his life.