Middle East de-escalation best way to ensure lower energy prices, says UK's Reeves

LONDON, March 9 (Reuters) - A rapid de-escalation in the Middle East is the best way to protect Britain from rising energy prices, finance minister Rachel Reeves said, adding that she would keep monitoring prices after a spike in the price of oil.

"I am clear that the best way to keep prices at the pump low is rapid de-escalation, and I will continue to monitor prices as the situation develops," Reeves told lawmakers, adding she had asked regulators to be vigilant on prices for essentials like road fuel.

"I will not tolerate any company exploiting the current crisis to make excess profits at consumers' expense."