BP’s Ousted Chairman Pushes Back on Conduct Claims

The BBC reported Wednesday that Albert Manifold, the recently removed chairman of British energy major BP, has publicly rejected what he called “lies” circulating about his behaviour following a sudden boardroom exit.

Manifold served as chairman for under a year before BP’s board dismissed him with immediate effect on Tuesday. He issued a formal statement insisting that no conduct or relationship concerns were ever raised with him during his tenure. He also argued that individuals commenting on his time at the company should not be permitted to do so anonymously.

A Board Unanimous in Its Decision

BP’s board moved decisively and without dissent. Senior independent director Amanda Blanc said the board had been caught off guard by what it described as governance and conduct issues it considered unacceptable. The BBC understands those concerns included allegations of bullying and overbearing management style. BP declined to confirm specifics but stood firmly behind its earlier public statement, affirming a duty of care toward affected employees.

In his own statement, Manifold acknowledged the board’s authority to remove him. He insisted, however, that his four decades in business had never previously attracted accusations of this nature. He attributed some friction to his push for tighter cost discipline, describing instances where he challenged unnecessary spending and rejected perks including corporate travel and event tickets.

Background: A Short and Turbulent Tenure

Manifold joined BP last September and assumed the chairmanship the following month. At that stage, BP highlighted his record of strategic and operational leadership. But his appointment was already drawing scrutiny before Tuesday’s dismissal. At last month’s annual general meeting, nearly one in five shareholders voted against his election, citing governance concerns. That level of opposition was a visible signal of investor unease, though the board proceeded regardless.

BP has also been navigating a broader strategic reset. The company suspended its share buyback programme earlier this year and accelerated cost-cutting efforts amid sliding profits, before a sharp oil price recovery boosted first-quarter earnings significantly.

What Comes Next for BP’s Leadership

With Manifold gone, BP now faces the task of identifying a credible successor at a moment of genuine strategic sensitivity. The company’s pivot away from some of its earlier low-carbon commitments has already attracted shareholder and public scrutiny. A prolonged leadership vacuum at the top risks compounding those pressures at a critical juncture for the company’s direction.

BP has not indicated a timeline for naming a new chair.

Read Next: Oil Prices Surge as Middle East Tensions Rattle Supply Outlook