18/11/2013

Labour Party Suspends Paul Flowers

A Methodist minister and former bank chairman has been suspended after he was reported to have bought and used illegal drugs.

Paul Flowers, 63, has apologised after The Mail on Sunday showed him handing over £300 for cocaine.

In a statement the Methodist Church 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. "We will also work with the police if they feel a crime has been committed."

Mr Flowers 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.

"

We will not make any further comment at this time, but will issue further statements as appropriate."

(CD/IT)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 November 2013
Two Arrested In Connection With Paul Flowers Investigation
Officers investigating allegations made against former Co-op Bank chief Paul Flowers have arrested two men. Police say that the arrests came as part of a "drugs supply investigation" and are connected to allegations made against 63-year-old Mr Flowers.
20 November 2013
Police Search Bradford Home Of Paul Flowers
Police in West Yorkshire have searched the Bradford home of former Co-op Bank chairman Paul Flowers. It is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that Flowers, a Methodist minister, bought illegal drugs. Mr Flowers is under investigation after he was filmed allegedly buying drugs. The 63-year-old has apologised for the incident.
19 November 2013
Co-Op Chairman Resigns Over Paul Flowers Scandal
The chairman of the Co-op Group has resigned over the alleged drug scandal surrounding Paul Flowers. Paul Flowers quit as the groups banking chairman after he was filmed allegedly buying drugs. Now, Len Wardle has resigned from the board that appointed Mr Flowers, understood to have said it was "right" that he stepped down.
26 October 2015
Police Appeal For Information After Shots Fired In Birmingham
Police have appealed for information following reports of shots being fired in the Hamstead area of Birmingham. Police were called just after 20:30 on Thursday 22 October following reports that a man had fired a hand gun towards three men in Old Walsall Road.
19 December 2014
Fugitive Arrested Entering Britain In Light Aircraft
One of the UK's most wanted men, 32-year-old Paul John Scott, has been arrested attempting to return to Britain in a light aircraft. A suspected member of a drug-smuggling gang, Mr Scott is understood to have been arrested trying to enter the country earlier this week and appeared in court on Wednesday charged with conspiracy to import cocaine.