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| Co-op Bank ex-boss Paul Flowers 'filmed buying drugs' | Co-op Bank ex-boss Paul Flowers 'filmed buying drugs' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The former Co-op Bank chairman has apologised after a newspaper claimed he bought and used illegal drugs after appearing before a committee of MPs. | The former Co-op Bank chairman has apologised after a newspaper claimed he bought and used illegal drugs after appearing before a committee of MPs. |
| A video on the Mail on Sunday website shows Paul Flowers, who is also a Methodist minister, handing over £300 in a car, apparently to buy cocaine. | A video on the Mail on Sunday website shows Paul Flowers, who is also a Methodist minister, handing over £300 in a car, apparently to buy cocaine. |
| He was filmed by an acquaintance who said they met online. | He was filmed by an acquaintance who said they met online. |
| Mr Flowers said he had done things that were "stupid and wrong" and was seeking professional help. | Mr Flowers said he had done things that were "stupid and wrong" and was seeking professional help. |
| 'Difficult year' | 'Difficult year' |
| The Mail on Sunday alleges that Mr Flowers, who left the Co-op in June this year - five months before his recent appearance at the Treasury Committee - handed over money for cocaine last weekend. | The Mail on Sunday alleges that Mr Flowers, who left the Co-op in June this year - five months before his recent appearance at the Treasury Committee - handed over money for cocaine last weekend. |
| Stuart Davies, who made the film, told the paper he exposed the Methodist minister because he was disgusted by his hypocrisy. | Stuart Davies, who made the film, told the paper he exposed the Methodist minister because he was disgusted by his hypocrisy. |
| In a statement released via the Methodist Church, Mr Flowers said: "This year has been incredibly difficult with a death in the family and the pressures of my role with the Co-operative Bank. | In a statement released via the Methodist Church, Mr Flowers said: "This year has been incredibly difficult with a death in the family and the pressures of my role with the Co-operative Bank. |
| "At the lowest point in this terrible period, I did things that were stupid and wrong. | "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." | "I am sorry for this, and I am seeking professional help, and apologise to all I have hurt or failed by my actions." |
| The Methodist Church said Mr Flowers, who is a minister in Bradford, has been suspended pending an investigation. | |
| A church spokesman said: "We expect high standards of our ministers and we have procedures in place for when ministers fail to meet those standards. | A church spokesman said: "We expect high standards of our ministers and we have procedures in place for when ministers fail to meet those standards. |
| "Paul is suspended from duties for a period of three weeks pending investigations and will not be available to carry out any ministerial work. | "Paul is suspended from duties for a period of three weeks pending investigations and will not be available to carry out any ministerial work. |
| "We will also work with the police if they feel a crime has been committed. | "We will also work with the police if they feel a crime has been committed. |
| "We are also asking people to pray for all those involved in and affected by this story." | "We are also asking people to pray for all those involved in and affected by this story." |