Drugs shame banker Paul Flowers probed by Methodist church 30 YEARS ago after gross indecency in public toilet

19 Nov 2013 09:21The Methodist minister and former Co-op bank boss is facing a police probe into his use of crystal meth, crack cocaine and ketamine

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Cooperative Group chairman quits having led board that appointed drugs shame bank chief

Paul Flowers resignationCooperative Group/PA

The long-standing chairman of the Cooperative Group has quit after the drugs scandal involving former bank boss Paul Flowers.

Len Wardle, who has held the position since 2007, was due to leave next May but said he will go straight away, having led the board that appointed Flowers.

Flowers, who chaired the Co-operative Bank for three years from 2010, was exposed on video apparently buying and using illegal drugs.

Mr Wardle said: "The recent revelations about the behaviour of Paul Flowers, the former chair of the Co-operative Bank, have raised a number of serious questions for both the bank and the group.

"I led the board that appointed Paul Flowers to lead the bank board and under those circumstances I feel that it is right that I step down now, ahead of my planned retirement in May next year.

"I have already made it clear that I believe the time is right for real change in our operations and our governance and the board recently started a detailed review of our democracy.

"I hope that the group now takes the chance to put in place a new democratic structure so we can modernise in the interests of all our members."

It emerged yesterday that disgraced Methodist minister Flowers committed gross indecency in a public toilet.

The ex-chairman of Co-op bank, who is gay, admitted the offence in June 1981 and was fined

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Co-op bank ex-boss Paul Flowers facing police probe after crystal meth and crack shame

18 Nov 2013 08:48The 63-year-old minister is in hiding, possibly abroad, and was immediately suspended as a Methodist minister following the sordid revelations.

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