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Timeline: Flowers, Labour and the Co-op Timeline: Flowers, Labour and the Co-op
(about 17 hours later)
A political row has broken out over the role and recruitment of Paul Flowers as chairman of the Co-operative Bank.A political row has broken out over the role and recruitment of Paul Flowers as chairman of the Co-operative Bank.
The Conservatives say Flowers, who has been disgraced over his alleged drug-taking, was closely involved with Labour. Labour argues that the government did too little to scrutinise the Co-op Bank's doomed attempt to take over hundreds of Lloyds Bank braches. The Conservatives say Flowers, who has been disgraced over his alleged drug-taking, was closely involved with Labour. Labour argues that the government did too little to scrutinise the Co-op Bank's doomed attempt to take over hundreds of Lloyds Bank branches.
So, what is Flowers' background and what are the key events in the developing controversy?So, what is Flowers' background and what are the key events in the developing controversy?
19761976
Paul Flowers, a Bristol University theology graduate, starts work as a Methodist minister in Bradford.Paul Flowers, a Bristol University theology graduate, starts work as a Methodist minister in Bradford.
19881988
Mr Flowers is elected a Labour councillor in Rochdale, serving until 1992.Mr Flowers is elected a Labour councillor in Rochdale, serving until 1992.
20022002
He is elected a Labour councillor in Bradford.He is elected a Labour councillor in Bradford.
20042004
Mr Flowers resigns as a trustee of the drugs charity Lifeline after allegedly lodging false expenses claims. The matter is referred to the Charity Commission. The Daily Mail is reporting that the figure involved was £150,000, although the charity has not confirmed this.Mr Flowers resigns as a trustee of the drugs charity Lifeline after allegedly lodging false expenses claims. The matter is referred to the Charity Commission. The Daily Mail is reporting that the figure involved was £150,000, although the charity has not confirmed this.
20052005
Mr Flowers refers himself to the local authority watchdog, the Standards Board for England, for sending a "joke" message to council colleagues that was alleged to have had "sexual connotations", according to the Daily TelegraphMr Flowers refers himself to the local authority watchdog, the Standards Board for England, for sending a "joke" message to council colleagues that was alleged to have had "sexual connotations", according to the Daily Telegraph
1 August 20091 August 2009
The Manchester-based Co-op Bank, part of the mutually owned Co-Op Group, merges with the Britannia Building Society, taking on its bad property loans.The Manchester-based Co-op Bank, part of the mutually owned Co-Op Group, merges with the Britannia Building Society, taking on its bad property loans.
February 2010February 2010
Mr Flowers, appointed to the Co-Op Bank's board in 2009, attends a Downing Street reception, at which future Labour leader Ed Miliband is present.Mr Flowers, appointed to the Co-Op Bank's board in 2009, attends a Downing Street reception, at which future Labour leader Ed Miliband is present.
April 2010April 2010
Mr Flowers is appointed chairman of the Co-op Bank and vice-chairman of the Co-op Group. His salary is £132,000 a year.Mr Flowers is appointed chairman of the Co-op Bank and vice-chairman of the Co-op Group. His salary is £132,000 a year.
July 2011July 2011
The Co-op Bank announces an interest in bidding for 632 branches of Lloyds Bank.The Co-op Bank announces an interest in bidding for 632 branches of Lloyds Bank.
September 2011September 2011
Mr Flowers resigns as a Labour councillor in Bradford after pornography is found on his council laptop.Mr Flowers resigns as a Labour councillor in Bradford after pornography is found on his council laptop.
31 March 201231 March 2012
The Co-op Group donates £50,000 through the Labour Party to support the office of shadow chancellor Ed Balls's office.The Co-op Group donates £50,000 through the Labour Party to support the office of shadow chancellor Ed Balls's office.
April 2012April 2012
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) tells the Co-op Group it does not have enough capital to be allowed to expand by buying the Lloyds branches.The Financial Services Authority (FSA) tells the Co-op Group it does not have enough capital to be allowed to expand by buying the Lloyds branches.
July 2012July 2012
It is announced that, contrary to the FSA's earlier advice, the Co-op Group has emerged as the preferred new owner of the Lloyds branches, in a £750m deal. This happens despite the Co-op not raising any extra capital, according to the BBC's Robert Peston.It is announced that, contrary to the FSA's earlier advice, the Co-op Group has emerged as the preferred new owner of the Lloyds branches, in a £750m deal. This happens despite the Co-op not raising any extra capital, according to the BBC's Robert Peston.
Chancellor George Osborne says the planned expansion of the Co-op Bank will create "a new banking system for Britain that gives real choice to customers and supports the economy".Chancellor George Osborne says the planned expansion of the Co-op Bank will create "a new banking system for Britain that gives real choice to customers and supports the economy".
6 March 20136 March 2013
Ed Miliband meets Mr Flowers to discuss banking reform, as a member of Labour's Business and Industry Advisory Group. Mr Flowers was appointed to the group in 2010, the Daily Mail reports.Ed Miliband meets Mr Flowers to discuss banking reform, as a member of Labour's Business and Industry Advisory Group. Mr Flowers was appointed to the group in 2010, the Daily Mail reports.
1 April 20131 April 2013
Labour takes out a £1.2m loan from Co-op Bank, to be repaid by 2016.Labour takes out a £1.2m loan from Co-op Bank, to be repaid by 2016.
24 April 201324 April 2013
The planned sale of Lloyds branches to the Co-op Group falls through, with the Co-op blaming a worsening economic outlook and the tougher regulatory environment imposed on banks. Business Secretary Vince Cable expresses his disappointment.The planned sale of Lloyds branches to the Co-op Group falls through, with the Co-op blaming a worsening economic outlook and the tougher regulatory environment imposed on banks. Business Secretary Vince Cable expresses his disappointment.
May 2013May 2013
The Co-op Bank is found to have a £1.5bn black hole in its finances.The Co-op Bank is found to have a £1.5bn black hole in its finances.
June 2013June 2013
Mr Flowers steps down as Co-op Bank chairman.Mr Flowers steps down as Co-op Bank chairman.
13 June 201313 June 2013
The Commons Treasury Select Committee launches an inquiry into the collapse of the Co-op Bank's bid for the Lloyds branches.The Commons Treasury Select Committee launches an inquiry into the collapse of the Co-op Bank's bid for the Lloyds branches.
29 August 201329 August 2013
The Co-op Bank announces losses of £559m for the first half of the year.The Co-op Bank announces losses of £559m for the first half of the year.
26 October 201326 October 2013
The Bank of England launches an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the discovery of the £1.5bn black hole at the Co-op Bank.The Bank of England launches an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the discovery of the £1.5bn black hole at the Co-op Bank.
6 November 20136 November 2013
Mr Flowers appears before the Treasury Select Committee. Its chairman, Conservative MP Andrew Tyrie, asks if there was "anything in your background" to qualify him for his job at the Co-op Bank.Mr Flowers appears before the Treasury Select Committee. Its chairman, Conservative MP Andrew Tyrie, asks if there was "anything in your background" to qualify him for his job at the Co-op Bank.
He replies that he worked in a bank for four years after leaving university and completed part one of the Institute of Bankers exam before becoming a Methodist minister.He replies that he worked in a bank for four years after leaving university and completed part one of the Institute of Bankers exam before becoming a Methodist minister.
"I would judge that experience is out of date in terms of the needs of contemporary banking," Mr Flowers adds."I would judge that experience is out of date in terms of the needs of contemporary banking," Mr Flowers adds.
17 November 201317 November 2013
The Mail on Sunday publishes video footage of Mr Flowers apparently spending £300 on cocaine and boasting about his use of other illegal drugs.The Mail on Sunday publishes video footage of Mr Flowers apparently spending £300 on cocaine and boasting about his use of other illegal drugs.
The Methodist Church suspends Flowers for three weeks.The Methodist Church suspends Flowers for three weeks.
Mr Flowers issues an apology for "stupid and wrong" behaviour, saying he has been under pressure because of the bank's problems and a recent death in his family.Mr Flowers issues an apology for "stupid and wrong" behaviour, saying he has been under pressure because of the bank's problems and a recent death in his family.
18 November 201318 November 2013
Labour suspends Mr Flowers.Labour suspends Mr Flowers.
Treasury Committee chairman Andrew Tyrie says Mr Flowers was "manifestly unsuitable" to be chairman of a bank.Treasury Committee chairman Andrew Tyrie says Mr Flowers was "manifestly unsuitable" to be chairman of a bank.
The Co-op Group launches a "fact-finding process to look into any inappropriate behaviour at the Co-operative Group or the Co-operative Bank and to take action as necessary".The Co-op Group launches a "fact-finding process to look into any inappropriate behaviour at the Co-operative Group or the Co-operative Bank and to take action as necessary".
19 November 201319 November 2013
Co-op Group chairman Len Wardle, who led the board which appointed Mr Flowers, resigns. He says the revelations about Mr Flowers have raised "serious questions".Co-op Group chairman Len Wardle, who led the board which appointed Mr Flowers, resigns. He says the revelations about Mr Flowers have raised "serious questions".
Mr Flowers' home in Bradford is searched by police following the drugs allegations.Mr Flowers' home in Bradford is searched by police following the drugs allegations.
20 November 201320 November 2013
Chancellor George Osborne launches an independent inquiry into how Mr Flowers was deemed suitable to be chairman of the Co-op Bank.Chancellor George Osborne launches an independent inquiry into how Mr Flowers was deemed suitable to be chairman of the Co-op Bank.
Mr Flowers is suspended indefinitely from his post as a minister of the Methodist Church.Mr Flowers is suspended indefinitely from his post as a minister of the Methodist Church.
At prime minister's questions, David Cameron says the Co-op bank was "driven to the wall" by Mr Flowers, while he approved millions of pounds worth of "soft loans" to the Labour Party.At prime minister's questions, David Cameron says the Co-op bank was "driven to the wall" by Mr Flowers, while he approved millions of pounds worth of "soft loans" to the Labour Party.
21 November 201321 November 2013
The Charity Commission announces it is looking into the claims that Mr Flowers claimed tens of thousands of pounds in false expenses from the Lifeline Project, and its own handling of the allegations when they were reported to it in 2004.The Charity Commission announces it is looking into the claims that Mr Flowers claimed tens of thousands of pounds in false expenses from the Lifeline Project, and its own handling of the allegations when they were reported to it in 2004.
The commission later says it does not seem to have been provided with any evidence at the time that showed Mr Flowers had "acted in bad faith or fraudulently".The commission later says it does not seem to have been provided with any evidence at the time that showed Mr Flowers had "acted in bad faith or fraudulently".
Ed Balls says it is a "lie" to suggest the £50,000 donation he received from in March 2012 from the Co-op was authorised by Mr Flowers. He adds that he has never had a personal meeting or direct phone or email contact with Mr Flowers, although he has met him at a group dinner.Ed Balls says it is a "lie" to suggest the £50,000 donation he received from in March 2012 from the Co-op was authorised by Mr Flowers. He adds that he has never had a personal meeting or direct phone or email contact with Mr Flowers, although he has met him at a group dinner.
Ed Miliband accuses the prime minister of "unjustified smears" and scoring "cheap political points". He instead points to "regulatory" failings which allowed Mr Flowers to become chairman of the Co-op Bank. The Treasury dismisses the Labour claims as "a total distraction".Ed Miliband accuses the prime minister of "unjustified smears" and scoring "cheap political points". He instead points to "regulatory" failings which allowed Mr Flowers to become chairman of the Co-op Bank. The Treasury dismisses the Labour claims as "a total distraction".