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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Co-op Bank ex-boss Paul Flowers 'filmed buying drugs' | Co-op Bank ex-boss Paul Flowers 'filmed buying drugs' |
| (about 4 hours 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. | 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." |
| Drugs project | Drugs project |
| Mr Flowers, who was chairman of the bank from April 2010 to June this year, gave evidence to MPs on the House of Commons Treasury Committee on 6 November. | Mr Flowers, who was chairman of the bank from April 2010 to June this year, gave evidence to MPs on the House of Commons Treasury Committee on 6 November. |
| The recording was allegedly made three days after the committee hearing, in Leeds. | |
| One of the committee members, Conservative MP Brooks Newmark, said the Co-op Bank had questions to answer about its appointment procedures. | |
| The Co-op Bank has so far declined to comment. | |
| West Yorkshire Police said in a statement it had not received a report in relation to the matter "but has been made aware of the allegations made in the Mail on Sunday article and are now making further enquiries". | |
| Mr Flowers, 63, who lives in Bradford, has been a minister for almost 40 years and served as a Labour councillor for Bradford Council for 10. | Mr Flowers, 63, who lives in Bradford, has been a minister for almost 40 years and served as a Labour councillor for Bradford Council for 10. |
| He currently serves on the trustee board of the Terrence Higgins Trust and has previously been director of the Lifeline Project which helps people tackle drug and alcohol addiction. | He currently serves on the trustee board of the Terrence Higgins Trust and has previously been director of the Lifeline Project which helps people tackle drug and alcohol addiction. |
| Earlier this year, the Co-op Bank came close to collapse after pulling out of a deal to buy hundreds of Lloyds Bank branches. | Earlier this year, the Co-op Bank came close to collapse after pulling out of a deal to buy hundreds of Lloyds Bank branches. |
| The Co-op blamed the economic environment and increased regulations for its withdrawal in April but it was later found to have a £1.5bn capital shortfall. | The Co-op blamed the economic environment and increased regulations for its withdrawal in April but it was later found to have a £1.5bn capital shortfall. |
| The Treasury Committee was investigating why the deal between the Co-op and Lloyds collapsed. | The Treasury Committee was investigating why the deal between the Co-op and Lloyds collapsed. |