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Co-op Bank ex-boss Paul Flowers 'filmed buying drugs' Co-op Bank ex-boss Paul Flowers 'filmed buying drugs'
(35 minutes later)
The former Co-op Bank chairman has apologised after a newspaper claimed he bought and used illegal drugs after appearing before a committee of MPs.The former Co-op Bank chairman has apologised after a newspaper claimed he bought and used illegal drugs after appearing before a committee of MPs.
A video on the Mail on Sunday website shows Paul Flowers, who is also a Methodist minister, handing over £300 in a car, apparently to buy cocaine.A video on the Mail on Sunday website shows Paul Flowers, who is also a Methodist minister, handing over £300 in a car, apparently to buy cocaine.
He was filmed by an acquaintance who said they met online.He was filmed by an acquaintance who said they met online.
Mr Flowers said he had done things that were "stupid and wrong" and was seeking professional help.Mr Flowers said he had done things that were "stupid and wrong" and was seeking professional help.
'Difficult year''Difficult year'
The Mail on Sunday alleges that Mr Flowers, who left the Co-op in June this year - five months before his recent appearance at the Treasury Committee - handed over money for cocaine last weekend.The Mail on Sunday alleges that Mr Flowers, who left the Co-op in June this year - five months before his recent appearance at the Treasury Committee - handed over money for cocaine last weekend.
Stuart Davies, who made the film, told the paper he exposed the Methodist minister because he was disgusted by his hypocrisy.Stuart Davies, who made the film, told the paper he exposed the Methodist minister because he was disgusted by his hypocrisy.
In a statement released via the Methodist Church, Mr Flowers said: "This year has been incredibly difficult with a death in the family and the pressures of my role with the Co-operative Bank.In a statement released via the Methodist Church, Mr Flowers said: "This year has been incredibly difficult with a death in the family and the pressures of my role with the Co-operative Bank.
"At the lowest point in this terrible period, I did things that were stupid and wrong."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.""I am sorry for this, and I am seeking professional help, and apologise to all I have hurt or failed by my actions."
The Methodist Church said Mr Flowers, who is a minister in Bradford, has been suspended pending an investigation.The Methodist Church said Mr Flowers, who is a minister in Bradford, has been suspended pending an investigation.
A church spokesman said: "We expect high standards of our ministers and we have procedures in place for when ministers fail to meet those standards.A church spokesman 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."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."We will also work with the police if they feel a crime has been committed.
"We are also asking people to pray for all those involved in and affected by this story.""We are also asking people to pray for all those involved in and affected by this story."
Drugs project
Mr Flowers, who was chairman of the bank from April 2010 to June this year, gave evidence to MPs on the House of Commons Treasury Committee on 6 November.
The recording was allegedly made three days later, in Leeds.
Mr Flowers, 63, who lives in Bradford, has been a minister for almost 40 years and served as a Labour councillor for Bradford Council for 10.
He currently serves on the trustee board of the Terrence Higgins Trust and has previously been director of the Lifeline Project which helps people tackle drug and alcohol addiction.
Earlier this year, the Co-op Bank came close to collapse after pulling out of a deal to buy hundreds of Lloyds Bank branches.
The Co-op blamed the economic environment and increased regulations for its withdrawal in April but it was later found to have a £1.5bn capital shortfall.
The Treasury Committee was investigating why the deal between the Co-op and Lloyds collapsed.