Paul Flowers (banker): Difference between revisions
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A few days after his appearance in front of the Treasury Select Committee, Flowers was filmed by a third party in his car apparently discussing to buy both [[cocaine]] and [[crystal meth]]. He is then filmed counting out £300 in £20 notes, before sending a friend to make the deal. Whilst waiting, Flowers discusses his use of [[ketamine]], [[cannabis]] and [[GHB]]. |
A few days after his appearance in front of the Treasury Select Committee, Flowers was filmed by a third party in his car apparently discussing to buy both [[cocaine]] and [[crystal meth]]. He is then filmed counting out £300 in £20 notes, before sending a friend to make the deal. Whilst waiting, Flowers discusses his use of [[ketamine]], [[cannabis]] and [[GHB]]. |
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In November 2013, the third party handed over the taped film to the ''[[Mail on Sunday]]'', which headlined the footage on 16 November 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2508464/Crystal-meth-shame-Co-op-bank-chief-Paul-Flowers.html#ixzz2l0qVkXrI|title=Crystal meth shame of bank chief|author=Nick Craven and Ross Slater|publisher=[[[[Mail on Sunday]]]]|date=16 November 2013|accessdate=18 November 2013}}</ref> Flowers was subsequently immediately suspended by the Methodist ministry for three weeks pending further investigation,<ref name=BradTA10814905/> and as a member of the Labour Party.<ref name=Guardian>Haroon Siddique, [http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/17/co-op-bank-former-chairman-cash-drugs "Co-operative Bank's former chairman 'seeking help' after drugs admission"], ''The Guardian'', 17 November 2013</ref><ref>Tomas Jivanda, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coop-bank-former-chair-allegedly-filmed-handing-over-300-for-drugs-including-crystal-meth-and-cocaine-8945280.html "Co-op bank former chair allegedly filmed handing over £300 for drugs including crystal meth and cocaine"], ''The Independent'', 17 November 2013</ref> |
In November 2013, the third party handed over the taped film to the ''[[Mail on Sunday]]'', which headlined the footage on 16 November 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2508464/Crystal-meth-shame-Co-op-bank-chief-Paul-Flowers.html#ixzz2l0qVkXrI|title=Crystal meth shame of bank chief|author=Nick Craven and Ross Slater|publisher=[[[[Mail on Sunday]]]]|date=16 November 2013|accessdate=18 November 2013}}</ref> Flowers was subsequently immediately suspended by the Methodist ministry for three weeks pending further investigation,<ref name=BradTA10814905/><ref name=MethFlwrs1>{{cite web|url=http://www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/news-releases/the-revd-paul-flowers|title=The Rev. Paul Flowers|publisher=Methodist Church|date=17 November 2013|accessdate=17 November 2013}}</ref> and as a member of the Labour Party.<ref name=Guardian>Haroon Siddique, [http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/17/co-op-bank-former-chairman-cash-drugs "Co-operative Bank's former chairman 'seeking help' after drugs admission"], ''The Guardian'', 17 November 2013</ref><ref>Tomas Jivanda, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coop-bank-former-chair-allegedly-filmed-handing-over-300-for-drugs-including-crystal-meth-and-cocaine-8945280.html "Co-op bank former chair allegedly filmed handing over £300 for drugs including crystal meth and cocaine"], ''The Independent'', 17 November 2013</ref> Flowers in a statement said:<ref name=MethFlwrs1> |
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{{cquote|This year has been incredibly difficult, with a death in the family and the pressures of my role with the Cooperative Bank. At the lowest point in this terrible period, I did things that were stupid and wrong. I am sorry for this, and I am seeking professional help, and apologise to all I have hurt or failed by my actions}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 16:06, 18 November 2013
Reverend Paul Flowers is an English businessman and ordained Methodist minister. A former Labour councillor, he was formerly chairman of the Co-operative Bank.[1][2]
Career
After leaving school, Flowers worked for four years in banking, gaining part1 and half of his part2 Institute of Bankers qualification.[2]
Flowers career then progressed through the mutual side of the Co-operative Society, eventually becoming a member of the North Regional Board. After the United Co-operatives merged with the Co-operative Group in 2007,[1] in 2008 he joined the board of the Co-op Group, later becoming deputy chairman.[2] He resigned from the board in June 2013 after his enforced resignation from Co-operative Bank that same month.[2]
Flowers was also a member of the Advertising Standards Authority, and was vice chair of the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux.[1]
Co-op Bank
In 2009 Flowers was appointed chairman of the Co-op Bank, following its merger with Britannia Building Society.[2] After discovery of the £1.5Bn black hole in the banks finances by new Chief Executive Euan Sutherland in May 2013, Flowers resigned from the Bank in June 2013, taking responsibility for the difficulties the bank experienced after acquiring Britannia.[3] He was replaced by Richard Pym, former head of UK Asset Resolution.[2]
Flowers testified to the Treasury Select Committee in November 2013, that the Britannia merger and other deals were undertaken under pressure from senior government ministers.[4]
Methodist
Flowers has been a Methodist minister for over 40 years, and presently serves as a Superintended Minister.[1] He is a trustee for Methodist Church Purposes, the body which manages the church's invested funds and property.[2]
Politics
Flowers unsuccessfully stood as a Labour candidate for councillor in Coventry, before gaining a seat in Rochdale.[1] He then moved Bradford, serving 10 years on the city council.[2] He resigned his seat in Great Horton in September 2011, due to his increased responsibilities as Co-op Bank's chairman.[5]
In 2010 he was appointed by new Labour Party leader Ed Miliband to the party's finance and industry board.[1][2]
Other projects
Flowers has been involved with a number of charities, and is presently a trustee of the Terrence Higgins Trust, and the Lifeline Project which works in the field of drug abuse. He is also a chair of Manchester Camerata, the city's chamber orchestra.[2]
Drugs scandal
A few days after his appearance in front of the Treasury Select Committee, Flowers was filmed by a third party in his car apparently discussing to buy both cocaine and crystal meth. He is then filmed counting out £300 in £20 notes, before sending a friend to make the deal. Whilst waiting, Flowers discusses his use of ketamine, cannabis and GHB.
In November 2013, the third party handed over the taped film to the Mail on Sunday, which headlined the footage on 16 November 2013.[6] Flowers was subsequently immediately suspended by the Methodist ministry for three weeks pending further investigation,[5][7] and as a member of the Labour Party.[3][8] Flowers in a statement said:<ref name=MethFlwrs1>
This year has been incredibly difficult, with a death in the family and the pressures of my role with the Cooperative Bank. At the lowest point in this terrible period, I did things that were stupid and wrong. I am sorry for this, and I am seeking professional help, and apologise to all I have hurt or failed by my actions
References
- ^ a b c d e f Robert Peston (18 November 2013). "How did Flowers bloom at Co-op Bank?". BBC News. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rebecca Burn-Callander & James Quinn (17 November 2013). "Profile: Rev, Paul Flowers". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ^ a b Haroon Siddique, "Co-operative Bank's former chairman 'seeking help' after drugs admission", The Guardian, 17 November 2013
- ^ Harry WIlson "Politicians wanted Co-op Bank to grow, says former chairman", The Telegraph, 6 November 2013
- ^ a b Michael Black (18 November 2013). "Bradford Methodist minister". Bradford telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ^ Nick Craven and Ross Slater (16 November 2013). "Crystal meth shame of bank chief". [[Mail on Sunday]]. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ^ "The Rev. Paul Flowers". Methodist Church. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ^ Tomas Jivanda, "Co-op bank former chair allegedly filmed handing over £300 for drugs including crystal meth and cocaine", The Independent, 17 November 2013
