Ousted BP Chairman Pushes Back Against Anonymous Misconduct Claims

BBC Business reported Wednesday that ousted BP chairman Albert Manifold has publicly rejected allegations about his workplace behaviour. He called published claims outright lies and said anonymous sources should be held to account.

Manifold was removed from his position at the energy major with immediate effect on Tuesday. His tenure lasted less than a year. BP’s board cited serious concerns over governance standards, oversight, and personal conduct as the reasons behind the decision.

Manifold Pushes Back on Misconduct Narrative

In a formal statement, Manifold said he accepted the board’s authority to remove him. But he firmly rejected how his conduct has since been characterised in media coverage. He noted that in four decades of working life, no comparable accusations had ever been levelled at him. He said the characterisation of his behaviour was entirely wrong and something he disputes in full.

Manifold also raised the issue of anonymity. He argued that individuals providing negative commentary about him should not be permitted to do so without putting their names to those claims. The statement was a direct response to media reports describing his behaviour toward colleagues.

Background to the Boardroom Rupture

BP has faced significant internal and external pressures over recent months. The company stepped up cost-cutting earlier this year and suspended its share buyback programme. A new chief executive also arrived into a business navigating weak margins and shifting energy strategy. Manifold took the chairmanship during that turbulent backdrop and, according to his own account, pushed back on what he saw as unnecessary corporate spending. He said he had no interest in private aviation or corporate hospitality and chose instead to cover basic daily expenses himself.

Those priorities, he acknowledged, were not always welcome. He suggested that challenging expenditure decisions and questioning internal assumptions created friction with some board members.

What Comes Next for BP Leadership

BP has not provided further public comment beyond its initial statement citing governance concerns. The company now faces the task of identifying a new chairman while managing an ongoing strategic review. Wider attention will fall on how BP’s board handles the transition and whether further details about the circumstances of Manifold’s departure emerge in coming weeks.

The episode adds another layer of scrutiny to an energy major already navigating a difficult period for the sector.

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