Paul Flowers
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Rev Paul Flowers is a Methodist minister and businessman. He was Chairman of the Co-operative banking group from 2010 to 2013. He was a Labour Party councillor in Bradford for 10 years. He has been a Trustee of the Terrence Higgins Trust.
In June 2013 he was ranked number 64 in the World Pride Power List 2013. The citation said:
- "The Stonewall Workplace Equality index ranked the Co-op as the third-best organisation in the UK for LGBT people to work. Methodist minister Flowers is also a trustee of HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust."[1]
In November 2013 he testified to the Treasury Select Committee about the circumstances surrounding controversial investment decisions by the Co-op Bank.[2]
A few days later he was filmed apparently agreeing to buy cocaine and crystal meth.[3]
Flowers was immediately suspended by the Methodist ministry for three weeks [4] and suspended as a member of the Labour Party.[5] Flowers in a statement said:
- "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."[4]
On 21 November he was arrested by Merseyside police in connection with a drugs supply investigation.[6]
References
- ↑ http://careers.theguardian.com/world-pride-power-list-2013-11-100
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/10431405/Politicians-wanted-Co-op-Bank-to-grow-says-former-chairman.html Harry Wilson, "Politicians wanted Co-op Bank to grow, says former chairman" The Telegraph, 6 November 2013
- ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2508464/Crystal-meth-shame-Co-op-bank-chief-Paul-Flowers.html#ixzz2l0qVkXrI Nick Craven and Ross Slater, "Crystal meth shame of bank chief" Mail on Sunday 16 November 2013
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/news-releases/the-revd-paul-flowers "The Rev. Paul Flowers", Methodist Church 17 November 2013
- ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/17/co-op-bank-former-chairman-cash-drugs Haroon Siddique, "Co-operative Bank's former chairman 'seeking help' after drugs admission" The Guardian 17 November 2013
- ↑ http://news.sky.com/story/1172122/ex-co-op-bank-chairman-paul-flowers-arrested "Ex Co-op Bank Chairman Paul Flowers Arrested" News.sky.com
