Former BP (NASDAQ:BP) chairman Albert Manifold has pushed back against allegations surrounding his conduct following his unexpected removal from the British energy group.
In a statement sent by email to CNBC, Manifold said he had been dismissed from his role “without warning and without explanation” and denied the accusations of misconduct made against him.
“During my time as chairman I worked to drive genuine change at BP – cutting costs, challenging excess, and holding the organisation to higher standards,” Manifold said. “I dispute entirely the characterisation of my conduct and I will not allow a false narrative to go unchallenged.”
BP’s board announced on Tuesday that Manifold had been removed because of what it described as “serious concerns” related to governance standards, oversight responsibilities and conduct.
Amanda Blanc, BP’s senior independent director, thanked Manifold for his role in helping advance the company’s transformation efforts but said the board had been “surprised and disappointed to learn of governance oversight and conduct issues it deems unacceptable.”
Several media reports claimed that Manifold behaved aggressively toward colleagues during his time at the company.
Manifold, previously chief executive of Irish building materials group CRH, had served as BP chairman for approximately seven months before his departure.